Watch again: Ousted Tennessee lawmaker returns to state legislature after gun control demonstration

Watch again as Democratic representative Justin Pearson returned to the Tennessee House of Representatives along with another young Black colleague after leading a gun control protest on the chamber floor. Mr Pearson, 29, was reinstated in his seat after a unanimous vote from seven members of the Shelby County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday, 12 April. Before the vote, hundreds of supporters marched Mr Pearson through Memphis to the meeting, chanting and cheering before entering the commission chambers. Last Thursday, the House voted to remove Mr Pearson representative Justin Jones but keep white representative Gloria Johnson - who survived by one vote - drawing accusations of racism. The Republican leadership has denied that race was a factor in the vote. Mr Pearson and Mr Jones were expelled from the House over their role in a protest on the House floor following a mass shooting at the Covenant School in which six people, including three nine-year-old children, were killed. On Monday, Mr Jones was restored to office and reinstated to his House seat in a unanimous decision by the Nashville Metropolitan Council. Watch more from Independent TV at https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/editors-picks Click here to subscribe to The Independent: https://bit.ly/Subscribe-to-Independent About The Independent: Making Change Happen. The Independent is the world’s most free-thinking newsbrand, providing global news, commentary and analysis for the independently-minded. Connect with The Independent: Check out our full video catalog: https://www.youtube.com/c/theindependent/videos Videos, daily editorial and more: http://www.theindy.com Click here to get the best of The Independent daily: https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Like The Independent on Facebook: https://www.fb.com/TheIndependentOnline Follow The Independent on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Independent Follow The Independent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.independent Download the iOS & Android app: https://www.independent.co.uk/subscribe/app Help to support truly independent journalism. Every dollar you contribute will directly fund additional special reports and investigations from a free-thinking, award-winning newsroom you can trust - https://www.independent.co.uk/donations Subscribe to Independent Premium for exclusive content & live events: https://bit.ly/2MiOONB