The two black state legislators from the Tennessee Three have been reinstated despite being expelled by their colleagues for standing with a youth-led protest for gun reform—days after another deadly school shooting.

Republican politicians have been out of touch with the values of the average American these days, the reinstatement of the two Justins is just another example of this. The public's backlash exemplified the success and power of student activism against the GOP's antidemocratic racist extremism.

Tennessee Republicans expelled two black state lawmakers of the Tennessee Three for supporting student protesters calling for gun reform.

The Tennessee Three are state lawmakers who joined student protesters fighting for gun reform. Rep. Justin Pearson and Justin Jones, the two black members of the Tennessee Three were expelled from the state legislature by GOP lawmakers, while one of their colleagues, a white woman, was spared—but only just. In a state where race is often a proxy for partisan affiliation, this development has especially dire implications for Black officials. Jones rightfully stated, "What we saw yesterday was a public lynching, let’s be real, and it was meant to set an example... But we did not bow down. And that’s what I think has them really upset, is that we didn’t break. We didn’t bow down. They want us to feel broken, but we left with our fists up in the air, because we knew that this was not the end, that they may expel us, but they can’t expel our movements. And that’s what terrifies them... And we see clearly, the nation has seen clearly what is going on in Tennessee.”