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Rep. Justin Pearson denied entry to Tennessee redistricting committee meeting

politicsMay 8, 2026191,029

On May 6, 2026 Rep. Justin J. Pearson of Memphis, WHO represents District 86, was blocked by the sergeant at arms from entering a Tennessee Senate redistricting committee meeting at the Cordell Hull State Office Building in Nashville. Officials denied him entry on the second day of the special legislative session on redistricting, and Pearson then delivered a profanity-laced, defiant speech outside the meeting criticizing the exclusion. His exclusion highlights escalating tensions over Tennessee's redistricting process and raises questions about access and representation for majority-Black districts as lawmakers redraw legislative maps.

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

795Yesterday
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...

6514h 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

47Yesterday
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.

37Yesterday
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

26Yesterday
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

145h 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
75h 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

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. Photo by Nicole Hester for The Tennessean
47h 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!! 😡😡

55h 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.

75h 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.
310h 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.

55h 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

75h 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

21h 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

111h ago
2 sources
open.substack.comLive with Katie Couric and Tennessee State Rep. Justin J. Pearsonjusticedemocrats.comJustin J. Pearson - Justice Democrats

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