Rep. Justin Pearson denied entry to Tennessee redistricting committee meeting

politicsMay 8, 2026191,032

Rep. Justin J. Pearson was blocked from entering a Tennessee Senate redistricting committee meeting by the sergeant at arms at the Cordell Hull State Office Building in Nashville on May 6, 2026. The incident occurred on the second day of a special legislative session on redistricting, after which Pearson delivered a defiant speech outside the meeting and vowed to stay and fight for his Memphis constituents. The denial matters because the redistricting plans under consideration would redraw congressional lines and could shift voting power and representation for Memphis and other communities of color.

Carl Quintanilla

@carlquintanilla.bsky.social

“.. Democratic state representative Justin J. Pearson and his brother KeShaun Pearson are removed from the gallery after taking part in a silent sit-in protesting redistricting efforts by the state's Republican leadership in Nashville, Tennessee.” @reuters.com #TN09

79691d ago

chichi6025

This is too eerily familiar anyone ones else getting a 50s 60's vibe

Crazy Hair Large Forehead9

It’s insane how much of a time warp to 1965 this photo is.

bluemarlinhunter.bsky.social7

Why would anyone want to do business in Tennessee? Lower tax breaks are not worth supporting an openly fascist state government.

Rules Guy4

Majority rules. The majority in Tennessee is okay with this.

Fermi's Pair of Socks4

That cop wants a God damn litera cola.

Milo Hamilton4

The only difference in that picture and one 67 years ago is improved photography.

Jenny3

I want State Rep. Justin Pearson in a National seat.

Ricardo B (Spring Collection)3

Great photojournalism, right there. Jim Crow II is going to meet Reconstruction III with a goddamn vengeance. Get ready, because we shall overcome. This will be their last stand.

mustlovedogs10.bsky.social3

From Kavanaugh Stops to Roberts Redistricting, SCOTUS needs reform. bsky.app/profile/slac...

BobbyMax7162

The Neo Confederacy alive and well. Including some on CNBC, present company excluded.

Pjeanne972

This is what Trump meant when he said Make America “Great” Again

SP242

Racists desperate to cling on to power cause they know they’re gonna be a minority by 2040. Tic toc.

Kevin M. Levin

@civilwarmemory.bsky.social

Rep. Justin Pearson D- Memphis attempts to attend a Senate Committee meeting and is denied entry by the Sergeant at Arms. Check out the color pattern of the tie. Resemble anything? That's no accident. #CivilWarMemory www.tennessean.com/picture-gall...

6690d ago

DrAye2

😮😮😮 We tried to tell people they wanted to go back and most dismissed it has hyperbole and fearmongering

Ruben Garcia

@gorubenruben.bsky.social

Oralè Resisters Rep Justin Pearson TN denied entry to GOP redistricting committee meeting by White Sargent of Arms, blocking a black man with impunity in their America! Get Louder, this can’t stand! #TN #TnRED #JustinPerson #USDemocracy #NoKings

4791d ago

ENVY20242

We are so fortunate that he & the other Justin are legislators!!

John Q. Public

@publius24.bsky.social

Great photo from Nicole Hester, staff photojournalist for The Tennessean, of Rep. Justin Pearson (D-Memphis) being denied entry to the Tennessee Senate by the Sergeant at Arms on the second day of a special session concerning redistricting in Nashville.

3791d ago

america.is.not.free

@antifapatriot.bsky.social

the SAA's tie says it all 🤬 Rep. Justin Pearson D- Memphis attempts to attend a Senate Committee meeting and is denied entry by the Sergeant at Arms on the 2nd day of special session concerning redistricting at Cordel Hull State Office Building in Nashville Wednesday, May 6,2026 credit: @nshester

2691d ago

CathySchott

@atlantacathy2.bsky.social

The KKK is alive and well in Tennessee. The Sargeant of Arms blocks Representative Justin Pearson from entering a committee meeting about redrawing the map specifically for the

1490d ago

Steffani Cameron 🇨🇦

@snarkysteff.bsky.social

Nicole Hester of the Tennessean deserves a Pulitzer for this. Justin Pearson is one of the most inspiring politicians in the •world• & I hope that young man has all the security around him possible. Keep that young man safe — and angry. He will be as powerful as any Civil Rights leader ever was.

Rep. Justin Pearson D- Memphis attempts to attend a Senate Committee meeting and is denied entry by the Sergeant at Arms on the second day of special session concerning redistricting at Cordell Hull State Office Building in Nashville on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. (@nshester | @tennesseannews )

reported by @angele.latham on @tennesseannews
"Democratic lawmakers kicked out of committee, barred from entry"
"After protesters shut down the previous Senate committee meeting, the Judiciary Committee convened in the same room, but with doors sealed to the public and multiple Democratic House Representatives.
Both Rep. Gloria Johnson, D-Knoxville, and Rep. Gabby Salinas, D-Memphis, were seated in the meeting. While not on the committee, they attended to observe its members discuss overhauling current election timelines, among other measures. According to Johnson, both were told to leave the committee room. The Tennessean watched Johnson get turned away at the door by state troopers.

Inside the chamber doors, Judiciary Committee members heard testimony from incumbent U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, who shared how the new map could damage Memphis' ability to secure federal funding and create challenges for congressmen to serve constituents across such widespread geography.

While he spoke, Rep. Justin Pearson, D-Memphis, was similarly barred from entering and stood between two bodies of law enforcement and heavy doors awaiting entrance.

Johnson said she had never been turned away from a committee room before.

https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/
politics/legislature/2026/05/05/redistrict-memphis-congressional-live-updates--live/
89933936007|#g|c89964331007

790d ago

Amanda

@graidh.bsky.social

I've read MANY posts about boycotting Tennessee and letting us all crash and burn because the South in general is not worth saving. Look at this photo of Rep. Justin Pearson and tell me there is not fight left here, that there is nothing worth saving. There is. Photo - Nicole Hester/The Tennessean

490d ago

Melinda-wvu

@melinda-wvu.bsky.social

Check out this video, "speech by tennessee lawmaker justin pearson" share.google/0RJID0DQxBxD... His speech really hit hard. 😭😭😭😭 Sometimes I just hate white people so much. MAGA lawmakers wearing capes with trump's name on them, what a joke!! 😡😡

590d ago

Common Power

@ourcommonpower.bsky.social

Due to the redistricting in TN, Justin J. Pearson has decided to stay and fight with his community in Memphis. The Seattle Meet-N-Greet has been postponed for now. Pearson is still running, we will still doorknock for him on the ground, and we will welcome him to Seattle when the timing is right.

790d ago

Anonymous

@youranonjd.bsky.social

Unless you live under a fucking rock you should know this is a confrontation at the Tennessee State Capitol on May 7, 2026, where Representative Justin J. Pearson was denied entry to a Senate Committee meeting by the Sergeant at Arms. It was a meeting about redrawing the map for the district he reps

390d ago

Web Behrens

@webbehrens.bsky.social

Incredible work from photographer Nicole Hester of the Tennessean: Attempting to attend a Senate Committee meeting about redistricting affecting his own city, state Rep. Justin Pearson is denied entry by the Sergeant at Arms, May 6, 2026.

TN state Rep. Justin Pearson, a Black man representing Memphis, is denied entry to a state Senate committee hearing about redistricting. Standing in his way, just a foot apart from Pearson, is a white man wearing a badge.

390d ago

Queen Zenobia

@queenfellobia.bsky.social

I am so, so proud of Rep. Justin Pearson. His speech was raw and real, a moment that will live through history.

590d ago

Purplesouth

@purplesouth.bsky.social

Rep. Justin J. Pearson Democrat in Tenn. speaking at their General Assembly yesterday made me proud. Young man, your speech gave me chills & made me proud. #strongertogether #SlavaUkraini #TACO

790d ago

Malachy Discontent

@malachydiscontent.bsky.social

With Redistricting elimination of Tennessee's black district, State Rep. Justin J Pearson should run for U.S. President ☀️ Sunrise Movement endorsed Fight The Power

190d ago

2 sources

open.substack.comLive with Katie Couric and Tennessee State Rep. Justin J. Pearson justicedemocrats.comJustin J. Pearson - Justice Democrats

London local election results, Lib Dems gain in Sutton; Starmer vows to staypolitics Reform UK makes major gains in English local elections, wins Haveringpolitics Southern states redraw maps in moves that reduce Black representationpolitics Liberal Democrats gain Meon Valley council seat from Greenspolitics

Rep. Justin Pearson denied entry to Tennessee redistricting committee meeting

Related