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Group protesting Rep. Byrd returns to subcommittee after being thrown out

Posted at 7:57 PM, Mar 05, 2019
and last updated 2019-03-05 23:30:13-05

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Women protesting state Rep. David Byrd (R-Waynesboro) -- a lawmaker accused of sexual assault -- once again made an appearance at a state house subcommittee that Byrd leads.

Some of those same women were at his subcommittee last week as well, holding signs protesting the pick of Byrd to chair the education administration subcommittee.

Those protesters, part of a group called Enough is Enough, were escorted out last week by state troopers during a recess, having been told they were making some uncomfortable.

Byrd faces sexual assault allegations from his time as a teacher and basketball coach at Wayne County High School decades ago. Byrd has never been charged with a crime.

But the group returned Tuesday, with the backing of at least one state lawmaker, Rep. Gloria Johnson (D-Knoxville), who spoke in support of the group.

Troopers told the group they would be allowed in with their signs, as long as they didn't hold them above their heads blocking the view of others, or disrupt the meeting.

While no one was escorted out during the meeting, some of the women started shouting questions at Byrd and other lawmakers after it was over.

Byrd and the other lawmakers did not acknowledge the shouted questions as they left the committee room.