Protests, Chaos Ensue After Tenn. Republicans Pass New Redistricting Map
Black Democrats are sounding off after Tennessee lawmakers passed a new proposed congressional map, axing the state's sole Black-majority district.
Black News 
Tensions are high in Tennessee after the House approved a new congressional map splitting the only majority-minority district in Memphis. And while Republicans are celebrating the redistricting effort, Black Democrats in the state are not holding back their frustrations.
We previously told you that the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Louisiana v. Callais —the case that weakened Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 — sparked last-minute gerrymandering efforts in states like Alabama and Tennessee. Critics argued the new map marks the state’s return to the Jim Crow era, where Black Americans were disenfranchised with practically zero protections from the government. Now, two of the state’s Black representatives are sounding the alarm.
Rep. Justin Jones led his own demonstration inside the state Capitol building following the passing of the controversial map. “My reaction is outrage and grief,” Jones told The Tennesean of the new map. “My grandma told me stories of what that time was like, and I really believe that they’re turning back the clock of history.”
Jones pulled up to the Capitol holding a printed sign of a Confederate flag, symbolizing the GOP’s return to pre-Civil War legislation. While inside, Jones lit the flag on fire.
“I burn this Confederate flag because we beat them before, and we’re gonna do it again,” he said. Jones represents the most diverse district in his state, Memphis, and is the youngest congressman in Tennessee. He wasn’t the only Tennessean on edge following the redistricting vote, however. Protests erupted across the city of Memphis and within the state Capitol in direct response to the gerrymander.
Demonstrators– mostly Democrats– locked arms and chanted as the state representatives voted on the measure. State Sen. Charlane Oliver even stood on her desk, holding a banner calling the gerrymander a “Jim Crow” effort. Despite the chaos, Republican lawmakers passed the map, sending it to Gov. Bill Lee to be signed into law.
Rep. Justin Pearson, another Black Democrat representing Memphis, got involved in a heated confrontation with Tennessee Highway Patrol officers during demonstrations against redistricting. Videos taken from the scene show Pearson defending his brother, who was later taken into custody by authorities.
“My brother ain’t doing nothing to nobody,” Pearson could be heard saying. “Hey, hey, he’ll walk out by himself. Move the f***k back!” The congressman continued talking to the trooper, “What the f*** is wrong with you?”
Although it’s unclear what charges, if any, Pearson’s brother has been hit with, the Democrat took to social media, calling the entire ordeal “tyranny.” He added, “This is what white supremacy does.”
Tennessee is the first state to pass a new map since the SCOTUS ruling last week. Meanwhile, lawmakers in Louisiana have postponed a congressional primary to allow state officials to draw a new map. Alabama is also waiting for a court ruling to officially amend the rules to allow for a new congressional map. In South Carolina Republican are still considering bringing forth a new congressional redistricting effort.
