Tennessee Democrats Disrupt Legislative Vote on New Congressional Map
The Tennessee Democratic Party’s image of calmness fell apart once more on Thursday as the state’s Republicans pushed through a new congressional map.
Some lawmakers attempted to hinder the legislative process by shouting, dancing, and using bullhorns against Republican officials. They invoked imagery associated with racial inequality, echoing tactics from the civil rights era, while responding to fears about their diminishing influence, perceiving it as a return to Jim Crow-like policies.
Background
The U.S. Supreme Court recently issued a pivotal 6-3 ruling in Louisiana vs. Curry, deeming Louisiana’s 2024 congressional map an unconstitutional racial gerrymander and emphasizing the necessity for redistricting to be colorblind.
Tennessee Republicans quickly seized upon this ruling and its implications for their state. Governor Bill Lee asserted the importance of ensuring that Tennessee’s congressional maps are “fair, legal, and defensible.”
With overwhelming approval from the Republican supermajority in the Legislature, the new map was signed into law by Lee on Thursday, potentially solidifying Republican dominance over all nine U.S. House seats in Tennessee.
This new arrangement alters the predominantly Black 9th Congressional District in Memphis, represented by white Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen, breaking it into three districts, while also splitting Nashville into five separate districts.
Cohen described this outcome as a “terrible result.”
Legislative Chaos
During the Senate’s discussion on the map, Democratic state Senator Charlaine Oliver went so far as to threaten unrest in 2024 over legislation she opposed, even dancing on her desk in protest. Demonstrators waved banners and chanted slogans like, “No Jim Crow 2, Stop the Steal.”
Footage shared online appeared to show Oliver engaged in a tussle with Senate security while trying to hold onto a banner. Losing her grip, she resorted to stamping her feet and singing as her colleagues voted.
Representative Justin Jones has a history of challenging decorum in the chamber. He was previously seen throwing traffic cones during a 2020 Black Lives Matter protest and has been vocal against Republican lawmakers, declaring “We will get through it.”
Jones frequently accuses Republicans of racism, famously burning images of the Confederate flag and labeling them the “blank caucus.”
Meanwhile, Rep. Justin Pearson faced backlash when he confronted law enforcement trying to maintain order at the House, showing frustration particularly at the treatment of his brother during the protests.
Tensions escalated as the Tennessee Highway Patrol took action amidst chaos, responding to demands from the House Speaker for order. Several attendees, including Pearson’s brother, were removed after refusing to leave.
In a moment of anger, Pearson lashed out at officers, insisting his brother had not wronged anyone. “Come on, you’re leaving on your own. Get that bastard back!” he shouted.
Meanwhile, the Tennessee Highway Patrol reported that several individuals were detained for disrupting House proceedings and were later taken into custody.
Despite all the dramatic protests from Democrats, the new congressional map was ultimately approved without significant interference.
This is Tennessee’s new congressional map.
