FBANC Statement in Solidarity with Tennessee House Representatives Justin Jones and Justin Pearson
April 9, 2023
On April 6, 2023, Tennessee lawmakers expelled Rep. Justin Jones and Rep. Justin Pearson from the legislature for leading a peaceful protest on the house floor demanding common sense gun reform. The protest over gun violence stemmed from the tragic March 27, 2023 Covenant School mass shooting in Nashville that claimed the lives of three children and three adult staff members. The Filipino Bar Association of Northern California (“FBANC”) denounces the manner in which Rep. Jones and Rep. Pearson, who were simply exercising their First Amendment right to free speech, were expelled from the Tennessee legislature.
As a professional organization committed to upholding constitutional protections and due process, FBANC condemns the extraordinary expulsion of Rep. Jones and Rep. Pearson, which represents an unprecedented affront to the democratic process, constitutional rights, and the rule of law. “The Tennessee legislature’s vote to expel these lawmakers effectively silences the voices of citizens and lawmakers who are calling for reasonable gun reform in a time where mass shootings have become alarmingly commonplace. The implications of Rep. Jones and Rep. Pearson’s expulsion cannot be overstated – it exemplifies the deliberate erosion of civility and democracy in this Country. We can no longer afford to be silent in the face of such grave injustice,” said FBANC President Raymond R. Rollan.
FBANC stands in solidarity with Rep. Pearson and Rep. Jones, a biracial Black and Filipino leader and activist from Oakland, who was raised by his Filipina grandmother Tessie and Black grandmother Harriet. A John R. Lewis Scholar at Fisk University, Rep. Jones has pursued a life of social activism and public service, drawing inspiration from his Lola Tessie’s stories about the People Power protests in the Philippines and from his grandma Harriet’s stories about the Civil Rights movement in the United States.
FBANC also stands in solidarity with the families and communities impacted by the March 27 Covenant School shooting, and all those who have experienced, and continue to experience, gun violence. With this statement, FBANC renews its commitment to fight for democracy and to advocate vigorously for a more equitable and safe society.
FBANC will provide additional information on how to support Rep. Jones and Rep. Pearson as it becomes available. For questions or more information, please contact FBANC President Raymond R. Rollan.
About FBANC
Established in 1980, FBANC is an organization of attorneys, judges, and law students dedicated to serving the Filipino community. Through the volunteer work of its members, including lifetime members, FBANC offers various service programs, including regular, free legal clinics, professional development programs for attorneys, and mentorship for law students and young attorneys. The organization also provides a voice for and advocates on behalf of Filipino interests in various forums.
