Democratic state Rep. Justin Jones of Nashville gestures throughout a vote on his expulsion from the state legislature on the State Capitol Building on April 6, 2023 in Nashville, Tenn. Monday, the Nashville Metro Council voted to briefly reinstate Jones to House District 52.

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Democratic state Rep. Justin Jones of Nashville gestures throughout a vote on his expulsion from the state legislature on the State Capitol Building on April 6, 2023 in Nashville, Tenn. Monday, the Nashville Metro Council voted to briefly reinstate Jones to House District 52.

Seth Herald/Getty Images

NASHVILLE, Tenn — Nashville’s Metro Council has unanimously voted to reinstate freshman Democrat Justin Jones to his seat within the Tennessee House. The GOP-led legislature expelled Jones last week for gun reform protests he led on the chamber flooring after the Covenant School taking pictures.

The vote places Jones into the seat on an interim foundation till a particular election may be held for the seat.

“Justin Jones has been elected to the vacancy of Tennessee House 52 pursuant to the state law and the rules governing the Metropolitan Council,” Vice Mayor Jim Shulman introduced at Monday’s specifically referred to as meeting, as cheers erupted within the gallery.

Jones returns to the state Capitol Monday

Shortly after the council vote, Jones returned to the Tennessee capitol to be sworn again into workplace amid a sea of media and supporters. He then made his method again to the House chamber, arm in arm with state Rep. Gloria Johnson of Knoxville, who narrowly escaped expulsion final week.

The unanimous vote

Metro Council guidelines ordinarily require members to attend 4 weeks earlier than filling vacancies within the state legislature. It would have solely taken two dissenting members to forestall a suspension of the foundations. Had that occurred, Tennessee’s legislative session could have been adjourned by the point Jones was reseated.

“I know that community members called and emailed us, and I think they did a great job because we didn’t have a single objection to suspension of the rules today,” mentioned Council Member Sandra Sepulveda.

Ahead of the assembly, a minimum of 30 councilmembers launched statements declaring their intent to vote Jones again into the District 52 seat. He wanted a easy majority of the 40-member council to reclaim the seat.

Meanwhile, in Shelby County, commissioners will meet Wednesday to debate reappointing fellow ousted Rep. Justin Pearson, additionally a Democrat.

Since the expulsions of the 2 younger Black lawmakers, Black leaders have referred to as the transfer racist and hypocritical. Johnson, who escaped expulsion, is the one one among the many three who’s white.