This video is the announcement of an application by citizens from across the state, to apply to the Tennessee House of Representatives to restore our rights protected in Tennessee Constitution, Art. I, § 23; to instruct our representatives and apply to them for redress of grievances or proper purpose by address or remonstrance.
By John Gentry
First of all, this was not just an application by me alone. Citizens from across the state, signed as co-remonstrants. In fact, at one of my speaking events before 50 republican citizens, 88 percent of those citizens co-remonstrated with me after I explained how essential this right is.
Second, the application and Rep. Garrett’s brief statement clearly read restoration of the right to apply for redress of grievance or proper purpose “by address “OR” remonstrance”; NOT “by address “OF” remonstrance” as improperly read by the House clerk.
Of particular concern to me, and tell me if I am wrong…, are the rolling of the eyes, smirks, and cat call from the floor. This body language of the Speaker of the House, and conduct of a member on the floor, evidence to me, contempt.
So we good citizens of the state, like Patrick Henry, protested, are “spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne!” Said Henry, “Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves —
Sir, we have done everything that could be done to avert the storm which is now coming on. We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament. Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne!
The primary reason we declared independence from Great Britain is because our forefathers’ petitions and remonstrances were disregarded when they protested the same tyranny many thousands of citizens suffer today.
Let them show their contempt to me, to us. I will remain undaunted in my work to restore the right that is the foundation of our republic and constitutional system. I know good and righteousness will always prevail in the end as history shows us. Tyranny and oppression, old words for corruption today, never last long.
Regardless, it should give you hope that at least we were able to get on the floor of the House to have our application announced. In today’s perversion of our legislative houses, it is astounding citizens can be heard at all. That is the power of this right, and this announcement should at least ignite hope of restoring our republic.
The next step that should occur according to supreme law, usage and custom, is that an address be made to the full body explaining why this right should be restored, and why the propositions and grievances committee should be reinstated. Despite his apparent contempt for me, I will reach out to Speaker Sexton to arrange for that.
Already many thousands of you understand the profound importance of my work. I continue to pray for the right words to help all of my fellow citizens understand how essential it is to our republic, that this right, fundamental to our form of government, be restored to its rightful place and prominence.
Legal and judicial reform activist John Gentry is an independent candidate for governor 2022.
