A mood of mutual hostility between elected officials in the Tennessee House of Representatives and activists has not lightened in the months since last August’s special legislative session.

Protesters for democracy and gun reform held events and filled the State Capitol rotunda — to the extent they were allowed — Tuesday, Jan. 9, as the General Assembly kicked off its 2024 legislative session.

After the protests that followed March 2023’s Covenant School shooting, House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, limited public access to the House galleries and directed state troopers to cordon off swaths of the Capitol rotunda, the area between the House and Senate chambers.

Gun-reform advocacy group to hold discussion in Memphis on Jan. 23

Democrats objected to Sexton’s policies on free speech and assembly, which were nearly as restrictive Tuesday as they were during the August special session.

“I’d like to welcome the First Amendment to the Capitol,” said state Rep. Gloria Johnson, D-Knoxville, who escaped expulsion by one vote last April and is now running against Marsha Blackburn in this year’s U.S. Senate election.

Members of the public were only given a fraction of the seats in the two galleries overlooking the House floor. Legislative interns took up more than half of one side; the other side, which was reserved for media and a limited number of lobbyists with tickets, was about half empty.

“Half the gallery has been sold to the highest bidder,” said state Rep. Justin Jones, D-Nashville, who was expelled, reappointed and reelected last year. 

Tuesday’s House meeting lasted about 35 minutes and was followed by several committees’ first hearings of the year. Lawmakers spent most of the time thanking constituents for traveling to Nashville or honoring people who recently died. Reps. Joe Towns and G.A. Hardaway of Memphis honored Elmore Nickelberry, one of the last two Memphis sanitation workers who participated in the 1968 strike.

Sexton ordered the removal of one member of the public who disrupted a moment of silence by shouting about the number of kids killed by guns.

Protesters heckled House Republicans as they exited the chamber and walked to the elevator. Some chanted “green beans” at state Rep. John Ragan, R-Oak Ridge, who asked a lot of questions about food waste during November meetings discussing the possibility of rejecting federal education funds.

“We are going to continue to show up because we believe in democracy,” state Rep. Justin J. Pearson, D-Memphis, who was also expelled and reelected, told a crowd. “I’m going to use all of my breath to fight alongside you.”

The advocacy group Rise and Shine held a press conference Tuesday morning at which children spoke about the fear of gun violence in school. Another group, dubbed the “TN11,” held a press conference and met with lawmakers.

Memphians Arriell Gipson Martin and Jaila Hampton, both members of the TN11, said the morning made them feel energized and hopeful. Both said it was a “top-five experience” of their lives.

A group of protesters wore stickers declaring themselves the “Balcony Brigade.”

“It was more brigade than balcony,” said Molly Quinn, executive director of OUTMemphis.

Meanwhile, the Senate quietly held its own floor session. Legislative business will continue Wednesday morning with both chambers holding floor sessions followed by committee hearings.

At one point, Johnson was recognized to ask a question about procedure, a rule she interpreted loosely.

“Wouldn’t it be better to allow people access to this House, and to the galleries, rather than folks who already have so much access every day, and also in the evenings?” she asked.

“That’s not a parliamentary question,” Sexton said. “Moving on.”