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Folk music activist and social activist Joan Baez joined hands with Justin Jones, a Tennessee Democrat, to perform a rendition of "We Shall Overcome" in response to Jones' recent expulsion from the state House.
Jones, who had played a leading role in a gun violence protest, was one of two Black Democrats who were expelled from the House by the GOP-led Tennessee House. Jones referred to the expulsion as an “attack on democracy,” and it is expected that he may be able to rejoin the body following a meeting by the Nashville metro council on Monday.
Baez, who was a friend of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and an iconic figure of the civil rights movement of the 1960s, often sang "We Shall Overcome" during her performances. The song became a rallying cry of the civil rights movement and was notably sung by Baez during the March on Washington.
Jones, in a tweet, referred to meeting Baez as part of a "movement of the spirit." He wrote that she stood with them in their "struggle in Tennessee" and expressed hope for young voices to lead the movement.
You can see a clip of the performance below.
\u201cWhen you get off the plane with the legendary Joan Baez you know it\u2019s a movement of the spirit. She stands with us in our struggle in Tennessee and said she\u2019s hopeful to see young voices leading. \n\n\u201cWE SHALL OVERCOME\u2026\u201d \n\nSerendipitous, indeed.\u201d— Rep. Justin Jones (@Rep. Justin Jones) 1681082037
Many were moved by the performance and expressed their support.
\u201c@brotherjones_ I\u2019m so glad my two friends got together. I had been trying for several days to make this happen The Spirit is so good!\u201d— Rep. Justin Jones (@Rep. Justin Jones) 1681082037
\u201c@brotherjones_ There are no accidents. That arc towards full justice ain\u2019t gonna miss you if you\u2019re in your Gideon boots. Amazing, simply beautiful. Stay true to the roots.\u201d— Rep. Justin Jones (@Rep. Justin Jones) 1681082037
\u201c@brotherjones_ @mssenator We shall. May it be sooner rather than later...\u201d— Rep. Justin Jones (@Rep. Justin Jones) 1681082037
\u201c@brotherjones_ She\u2019s a legend and a hero for civil & women\u2019s rights of my generation! Wow! I have chills\u2764\ufe0f\ud83d\udc99\u201d— Rep. Justin Jones (@Rep. Justin Jones) 1681082037
\u201c@brotherjones_ This is so powerful. This was the anthem of the civil rights movement here in Northern Ireland too. Solidarity from Nashville\u2019s sister city - Belfast.\u201d— Rep. Justin Jones (@Rep. Justin Jones) 1681082037
\u201c@brotherjones_ What a moment! So proud to have you representing the future of the Democratic Party \ud83d\udc99\u201d— Rep. Justin Jones (@Rep. Justin Jones) 1681082037
\u201c@brotherjones_ This is beautiful. When I was a child, one of my teachers was a complete & utter hippie. We had music appreciation classes where we listened to Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye, Joan Baez, & more. This touches my heart & brings back memories.\n\nYou SHALL overcome, @brotherjones_!\u201d— Rep. Justin Jones (@Rep. Justin Jones) 1681082037
\u201c@brotherjones_ Wow. This is beautiful. State Representative Justin Jones and the legendary Joan Baez really harmonized. They may not know each other well, but they both know and fight the same struggle.\u201d— Rep. Justin Jones (@Rep. Justin Jones) 1681082037
The performance of "We Shall Overcome" by Baez and Jones is a reminder of the power of music in social and political movements.
The song has a long history of being used as a call to action in the fight for civil rights and social justice. Baez's connection to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and her involvement in the civil rights movement give her rendition of the song a special significance.
In an interview with The Tennesseean, Baez expressed support for Jones and his colleague, fellow Democrat Justin Pearson, saying that movements are driven by "little victories and big defeats" and that "changing hearts and minds requires people connecting over the little victories."