Tennessee Republicans accused of ‘overt racism’ after Democratic duo’s expulsion

Republican-controlled legislature retaliates over gun control protest but white lawmaker who participated in rally is spared

Republican lawmakers in Tennessee have been accused of overt racism after expelling two Black Democrats from the state legislature in an act of unprecedented retaliation, for their role in a peaceful protest calling for gun control in the aftermath of a massacre at a school in Nashville.

The Republican-controlled legislature voted on Thursday to spare a white Democratic lawmaker who participated in the same protest.