Councilman Freddie O'Connell says Rep. Justin Johnson, Rep. Justin Jones, and Rep. Gloria Johnson are, "house members who sought to elevate the urgency of the potential for state action."

by Rod Williams, April 8, 2023- Councilman Freddie O'Connell, a candidate for mayor, in his recent newsletter calls the disruptive actions of Rep. Justin Johnson, Rep. Justin Jones, and Rep. Gloria Johnson, "house members who sought to elevate the urgency of the potential for state action." Here it is in context:

This was Nashville's first mass shooting at a school. May we never have another.

 What has been extraordinary for me to witness has been the response of young people and their parents demanding stronger protections from gun violence from the state legislature. For my part, I hope that the governor and General Assembly can produce a bipartisan red flag law before this session adjourns.What has been extraordinary for me to witness has been the response of young people and their parents demanding stronger protections from gun violence from the state legislature. For my part, I hope that the governor and General Assembly can produce a bipartisan red flag law before this session adjourns.

So far, the state's reaction has included seeking to expel three state house members who sought to elevate the urgency of the potential for state action. 

Below is the video of the House member-led protest: Go to timestamp 47:17 and skip the ad to see the floor-led demonstration. Justin Jones used a bullhorn to lead protestors in chants of "no peace; no justice," "power to the people," and other chants.  It seems he is doing his best to incite a riot.

A democratic legislative body cannot function if protestors interrupt the proceedings and do not allow the body to calmly deliberate. If every member of the body used the chamber to "elevate the urgency of the potential for state action," nothing would get accomplished.  We must have rules of procedure in order to have democratic governance.

Even if you think the vote to oust the House members was strategically unwise or too punitive, to say the three did nothing wrong and were simply "house members who sought to elevate the urgency of the potential for state action," is a mind-blowing defense of anarchy. 

One who has no more respect for the democratic process than O'Connell, certainly does not deserve to be elected mayor. 

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