American Photography 40 Winners

Democratic representatives Justin J. Pearson and Justin Jones raise their fists while a video of the previous week’s gun control demonstration at the statehouse is screened, as Republicans who control the Tennessee House of Representatives prepare to vote on whether to expel them and Democratic representative Gloria Johnson for their role in it, in Nashville, Tennessee, U.S., April 6, 2023. ”Until we act, there will be no peace for the thousands of children who came here demanding we act, who are afraid that if they’re in school they will be gunned down because you have passed laws that make it easier to get gun than it is to get health care in this state,” Jones said.

Tennessee State Troopers guard the Tennessee State House after a vote to expel Democratic members Justin Jones and Justin J. Pearson for their role in a gun control demonstration at the statehouse the previous week, in Nashville, Tennessee, U.S., April 6, 2023. Months after the protest, a special legislative session called by Tennessee’s Republican governor ended with no progress on gun safety laws and, during the special session, Republican leaders banned members of the public from holding signs during proceedings and limited their access to the Capitol building. ”It feels like we were just screaming under water,” said Mary Joyce, whose daughter was in the Covenant classroom where three of her classmates were killed. ”No one could hear us.”