"The injustice we have seen in recent days in Tennessee comes at an intersection of American failures – structural racism, punishing protest, and a willingness to wash our hands in response to unending, unspeakable violence.
"The backlash to this nonviolent act of civil disobedience, and who faced harshest consequences, shows it's never about the means of demonstration, but rather demonizing the identity and cause of those raising their voices. But protest is meant to disrupt. Protest is meant to draw attention to and drive change on systemic injustices. And in their initial act of protest, in spotlighting and condemning the racist, undemocratic response, these expelled public servants have achieved a great deal.
"The initial ‘offense’ of these legislators was to demand action to prevent gun violence in the wake of yet another horrific shooting. It is my hope that by expressing dual outrage at conservatives’ inaction on guns and authoritarian reaction to being called out for it, we can direct our anger into progress."