Over the weekend, renowned television host Oprah Winfrey returned to her alma mater of Tennessee State University to deliver a powerful message.

Speaking at the university's annual commencement ceremony, Winfrey praised the local lawmakers who received national attention after being expelled from their seats on the State House of Representatives. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, two young Black men, were removed from their elected positions by the Republican majority after participating in a peaceful protest over gun control. The White woman who also participated, Gloria Johnson, was allowed to keep her seat.

The three representatives stood in solidarity with protestors in the wake of the Nashville covenant school shooting, which left six dead. The perpetrator used an assault rifle, which Democratic lawmakers in the state have sought to restrict to no avail after pushback from Republicans.

In her speech, Winfrey praised Jones and Pearson for their bravery, while slamming Republican lawmakers for their undemocratic practices and inaction on gun control.

“The leaders are behaving like children,” she said. “The children are being gunned down by military-grade assault rifles.”