NASHVILLE — State Rep. Justin J. Pearson was sworn into the state House of Representatives for the third time on Monday, Aug. 21, following his April 6 expulsion, quick interim reappointment by the Shelby County Commission and subsequent special election victory earlier this month.

Pearson, who was expelled for speaking without permission in support of gun reform protesters, was sworn in by Nashville General Sessions Judge Rachel Bell at the Tennessee State Capitol about an hour before the start of a special legislative session on public safety — but not gun-safety legislation.

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“We did it again!” Pearson said after being sworn in, surrounded by his family and advocates from Memphis for All, The Equity Alliance, Moms Demand Action and other groups.

Pearson, a Memphis Democrat, spoke at length after several people told stories about gun violence, connecting the effort to end gun violence with the long history of the struggle for racial justice.

Pearson wore a brightly colored dashiki over a shirt and tie. Earlier this year, he was sworn in on the House floor in a dashiki; some lawmakers felt he had disrespected the General Assembly by not wearing a suit.

Pearson’s fiancee and chief of staff, Oceana Gilliam — who had wrapped herself in a Tennessee flag — said she lost an aunt and uncle to gun violence.

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“They expelled us, but they can’t expel a movement,” Pearson said. “You ain’t expelling this movement.”

The House and Senate started the session at 4 p.m. The Senate has committee hearings scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, with the final meeting of the full body scheduled for Thursday morning. The House has nothing scheduled yet except for Monday’s floor session.