Brother of Rep. Justin Pearson among protesters reportedly detained during special session at TN Capitol
Pearson posted videos on Facebook saying his brother was removed from the House chamber before being taken into a law enforcement van to be booked by officers in Nashville.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - Rep. Justin Pearson (D-Memphis) reports that his brother was among other protesters detained during the House floor session as Republicans passed a new congressional map that will split up Memphis.
Pearson posted videos on Facebook saying his brother was removed from the House chamber before being taken into a law enforcement van to be booked by officers in Nashville.
Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers can be seen taking at least one other person into custody. In the video, Pearson hugged his brother and told him he was proud of him before troopers seemingly took him away.
Latest: TN House Republicans pass new congressional map, dividing Memphis as protests ring out
Before the House passed the newly-proposed congressional map for Tennessee, protests erupted in the chamber, prompting THP troopers to remove the protesters.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol confirmed to WSMV that three individuals were arrested yesterday after they “began disrupting the session of the House of Representatives.”
“After repeated warnings, three individuals were taken into custody inside the gallery of the Capitol,” THP said.
THP said that they were transported to the Davidson County Detention Center for booking on the suspected violation of disturbing an official meeting.
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