Tennessee Republicans voted Thursday to expel a Democratic member from the state House for speaking out of turn during a gun violence protest — an extraordinary move for its political brazenness and an unprecedented use of power in an American statehouse.

The Tennessee House moved forward with proceedings to remove the other two members, Reps. Gloria Johnson and Justin Pearson. The trio represents the three largest cities in Tennessee.

Their offense was joining protesters who gathered in Nashville last week to call for gun safety reform in the aftermath of a deadly school shooting that left seven dead, including the shooter. The members approached the lectern without being called on by House GOP leadership and toted a bullhorn to lead chants on the House floor, a stunt that temporarily suspended legislative business. House Speaker Cameron Sexton later likened their behavior to “an insurrection.”