PEARSON: “This is pretty obscene, what y’all are doing right now.” @justinjpearson reacts to Republicans Doggett & Lamberth disrespectfully killing his gun safety bills — without debate or even letting him present them. Ugly stuff.
Disposable. Rep. John Ragan is putting forth TWO bills that are specially targeting Black people, a Historically Black College, and Black communities. HB1739 will vacate the Tennessee State University’s Board and allow Gov. Lee to appoint whoever he wants on the board. TSU supporters are strongly opposed to this takeover. HB0474 will prohibit local government from STUDYING reparations for Black people, including research into enslaved ancestors. Our legislature is continuously going BACKWARDS. Instead of funding our institutions and ensuring that Black history is taught in school and acknowledging the reality of what Black folks went through, my republican colleagues instead pass bills that intentionally harm Black communities.
It is unbelievable that our bill failed because chairman Doggett does not know how to run his committee and wanted to silence our voice in fighting for our community. This has never happened before in any of the committees where we have presented, and it is completely disrespectful and disgraceful I didn’t get the chance to present a bill my constituents and I developed together. While I was talking, Doggett cut me off mid speech and said my bill failed for a lack of a motion and a second. Mind you, he never asked for one, which is a best practice in other committees. However, I am not surprised as it was evident he was confused about his role as chairman throughout the committee, namely, he did not know some of the basic procedures as chairman.
Heartbreaking update: after Mrs. and Mr. Wells tried to speak to Senator Brent Taylor about senate bill 2572 that would undo the Memphis pretextual stop ordinance, he disrespected the Wells’ family and Tyre’s memory in the worst way possible. He told them he was going to pass his bad bill no matter what they said, then he insulted them by saying “he knows death” because he works in the funeral home business, and he egregiously told them that “Trye would have ended up dead anyway”. I am appalled that Brent Taylor would talk to the Wells’ family this way and completely disregarded their request to delay the bill to come up with a compromise together. Clearly, these people have no respect and have no honor. I am disgusted that Shelby County senators and representatives, including Brent Taylor, John Gillespie, and Mark White have signed on to SB2572/HB1931.
[was live] please take a moment to watch Democrats fight for Tennessee State University as republicans vote to vacate its board. @tennstateu
Hi District 86 and Memphis! We are so excited to launch our campaign on June 1st from 3 PM to 5 PM at Alonzo Weaver Park! Please come out to enjoy family fun, live music and performances, free food trucks, a bouncy house for the kids, and more! We can’t wait to see you there! 💙✨💙
Thank you Mrs. and Mr. Wells for coming back to the Capitol today to advocate for your beautiful son Mr. Tyre Nichols. Senator Brent Taylor and Rep. John Gillespie has put up a terrible bill SB 2572 that will undo the ordinances that the Wells family worked so hard for to end pretexual stops in Memphis.
Happy Birthday to my incredible and awesome fiancé and best friend in the whole world, Oceana! My days are brighter because of you, and I am thankful to God for having such an amazing partner in life and love. Thank you for caring for me, Curly Girly, and our entire family. Thank you for your leadership on our team and this Movement for Justice. Happy Birthday! ✨💕✨💙✨💕💙 I love you, Oceana! @oceanaoceanb
Statehouse Update – April 16th Hi Folks, check out today’s live about what’s happening at the statehouse.
This morning we learned about the devastating loss of MPD officer Joseph McKinney and the injuries of two of his fellow officers. We must do something to get guns off of our streets to protect our law enforcement officers and our communities. My heart and prayers are with Officer Joseph McKinney‘s family and loved ones.
Words can’t begin to express the immense gratitude and appreciation we felt to meet the mothers of Mr. Eric Garner, Mr. Trayvon Martin, and the brother of Mr. George Floyd yesterday alongside Mr. Tyre Nichol’s parents—Mrs. RowVaughn Wells and Mr. Rodney Wells who have been advocated on behalf of their son and all Black people in Memphis and across the country. Thank you @NCRM for this convening to build the fight to eradicate violence against Black People with data and the truth of our narratives. These extraordinary families are the icons, leaders, and pillars of a movement to preserve Black lives. Thank you to @symonedsanders for visiting Memphis and leading sessions at the convening. Oceana and I are completely humbled, appreciative. and honored. With immense gratitude and love, Rep. Pearson & Oceana
Words can’t begin to express the immense gratitude and appreciation we felt to meet the mothers of Mr. Eric Garner, Mr. Trayvon Martin, and the brother of Mr. George Floyd yesterday alongside Mr. Tyre Nichol’s parents—Mrs. RowVaughn Wells and Mr. Rodney Wells who have been advocated on behalf of their son and all Black people in Memphis and across the country. Thank you @NCRM for this convening to build the fight to eradicate violence against Black People with data and the truth of our narratives. These extraordinary families are the icons, leaders, and pillars of a movement to preserve Black lives. Thank you to @symonedsanders for visiting Memphis and leading sessions at the convening. Oceana and I are completely humbled, appreciative. and honored. With immense gratitude and love, Rep. Pearson & Oceana
Words can’t begin to express the immense gratitude and appreciation we felt to meet the mothers of Mr. Eric Garner, Mr. Trayvon Martin, and the brother of Mr. George Floyd yesterday alongside Mr. Tyre Nichol’s parents—Mrs. RowVaughn Wells and Mr. Rodney Wells who have been advocated on behalf of their son and all Black people in Memphis and across the country. Thank you @NCRM for this convening to build the fight to eradicate violence against Black People with data and the truth of our narratives. These extraordinary families are the icons, leaders, and pillars of a movement to preserve Black lives. Thank you to @symonedsanders for visiting Memphis and leading sessions at the convening. Oceana and I are completely humbled, appreciative. and honored. With immense gratitude and love, Rep. Pearson & Oceana
Words can’t begin to express the immense gratitude and appreciation we felt to meet the mothers of Mr. Eric Garner, Mr. Trayvon Martin, and the brother of Mr. George Floyd yesterday alongside Mr. Tyre Nichol’s parents—Mrs. RowVaughn Wells and Mr. Rodney Wells who have been advocated on behalf of their son and all Black people in Memphis and across the country. Thank you @NCRM for this convening to build the fight to eradicate violence against Black People with data and the truth of our narratives. These extraordinary families are the icons, leaders, and pillars of a movement to preserve Black lives. Thank you to @symonedsanders for visiting Memphis and leading sessions at the convening. Oceana and I are completely humbled, appreciative. and honored. With immense gratitude and love, Rep. Pearson & Oceana
This was a tough legislative week on the Hill—as they say, sometimes you gotta laugh to keep from crying. 🙃 I couldn’t *speak* on six of our bills due to a lack of having a second democrat on committee. As you can see, my republicans colleagues didn’t allow me or my constituent (who was here to advocate for an increase in bereavement time for grieving parents) the ability to talk about our bills. Two bills failed, including one that would expand Medicaid. Six bills I didn’t get a chance to speak on because they were at the end of the agenda and the last two got sent to budget committee and summer study. Thanks so much for following along with us this week as I presented bills in committee! We’ll be back at it tomorrow on the House floor! See you there #Powertothepeople
A year ago today, the constituents of District 86 blessed me with the privilege to serve District 86 as State Representative. Thank you to District 86 and all who have fought for Justice at our side this past year!
A year ago today, the constituents of District 86 blessed me with the privilege to serve District 86 as State Representative. Thank you to District 86 and all who have fought for Justice at our side this past year!
A year ago today, the constituents of District 86 blessed me with the privilege to serve District 86 as State Representative. Thank you to District 86 and all who have fought for Justice at our side this past year!
It’s Good Friday. In the Christian faith, we remember the lynching of Jesus the Living Christ and Son of God. Please join us this Sunday as remember the promised Resurrection!
When I think of the magnificence of Black women, I think of my mom and grandmothers. I thank God for watching over the great women in my life, blessing them to bring new life into the world. Learn how we all can help the magnificent Black women in our lives enjoy happy, healthy pregnancies and post-pregnancies at www.blackmamasmatter.org Please tag your local organizations that are working hard to care for Black Mamas—let’s spread awareness about Black Maternal Health Week!
When I think of the magnificence of Black women, I think of my mom and grandmothers. I thank God for watching over the great women in my life, blessing them to bring new life into the world. Learn how we all can help the magnificent Black women in our lives enjoy happy, healthy pregnancies and post-pregnancies at www.blackmamasmatter.org Please tag your local organizations that are working hard to care for Black Mamas—let’s spread awareness about Black Maternal Health Week!
When I think of the magnificence of Black women, I think of my mom and grandmothers. I thank God for watching over the great women in my life, blessing them to bring new life into the world. Learn how we all can help the magnificent Black women in our lives enjoy happy, healthy pregnancies and post-pregnancies at www.blackmamasmatter.org Please tag your local organizations that are working hard to care for Black Mamas—let’s spread awareness about Black Maternal Health Week!
When I think of the magnificence of Black women, I think of my mom and grandmothers. I thank God for watching over the great women in my life, blessing them to bring new life into the world. Learn how we all can help the magnificent Black women in our lives enjoy happy, healthy pregnancies and post-pregnancies at www.blackmamasmatter.org Please tag your local organizations that are working hard to care for Black Mamas—let’s spread awareness about Black Maternal Health Week!
Thank you @facinghistory for inviting me to the @ncrmuseum last week for the High School Students Facing History Leadership Group. I was so honored to be among such stellar future leaders who are committed to doing their part to make the world a more Just place for everyone. Events like these always rekindle my spirit, enrich my mind and fill my heart with gladness and hope for the future!
