Local Democrats Join Unprecedented House Sit-in For Gun Control
In a nod to decades-old, traditional-style protesting, several local Democrats were among more than 200 total to participate in a sit-in on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday, demanding tighter gun control in the wake of Orlando’s mass shooting — the worst mass shooting in the country’s history.
Representatives Bob Brady, Mike Doyle, Brendan Boyle and Matt Cartwright of Pennsylvania and Donald Norcross of New Jersey joined in to demand a vote on legislation that would bolster background checks and prohibit suspected terrorists from purchasing guns. Democrats called on House Speaker Paul Ryan to debate and vote on gun legislation next week, despite a scheduled recess.
Currently protesting on the House floor-our nation deserves a vote on gun control legislation including my bill supporting local gun laws.
— Congressman Bob Brady (@BobBradyPHL) June 22, 2016
https://twitter.com/DonaldNorcross/status/745843411043950592
Fed-up Dems just occupied House Floor – won’t move until we get a vote on No-Fly, No-Buy. pic.twitter.com/cIrWgrMnC0
— Mike Doyle (@USRepMikeDoyle) June 22, 2016
They chanted, “No bill, no break.”
Representative John Lewis, a highly regarded civil rights leader, helped lead the effort.
Do we have the courage? Do we have raw courage to at least make a down payment on ending gun violence in America? #holdthefloor #goodtrouble
— John Lewis (@repjohnlewis) June 22, 2016
When Republicans in the House administration shut down broadcasting cameras, C-SPAN picked up feeds from the cellphones of Democrats who recorded, shared and periscoped the sit-in. It was an unprecedented move.
Democrats sang, “We Shall Overcome” and held up signs with the names of victims of gun violence. Ryan yelled “Shame! Shame!” as he attempted to continue business as usual, writing off the sit-in as a staged “publicity stunt,” according to the Associated Press.
In an interview with CNN, Ryan said there would be no vote.
The protest began around 11:30 a.m. Wednesday. The chamber was adjourned by Republicans at 3:15 a.m. Thursday, but as of 7:30 a.m. Thursday, 12 Democrats were still sitting on the floor, according to the AP. Minority leader Nancy Pelosi was among them.
The House isn’t expected to pick up session until after July 4th.
Last week, Representative Chris Murphy waged a nearly 15-hour filibuster to force votes on gun legislation in the Senate. On Monday, four gun control measures were voted down.
Democrats posted the Capitol’s main telephone number, which was “overwhelmed” during the sit-in, according to the AP. They also encouraged tweeting under the hashtag #NoBillNoBreak.
A crowd gathered outside the building.
After speaking on floor during our #sitin I walked outside & spoke to crowd that's gathered here tonight #inspiring pic.twitter.com/77xOohuDFv
— US Rep Brendan Boyle (@RepBrendanBoyle) June 23, 2016
An honor to stand with you & sit with you today in this fight @repjohnlewis #NoBillNoBreak #NoFlyNoBuy pic.twitter.com/aAW7Df2TKJ
— US Rep Brendan Boyle (@RepBrendanBoyle) June 23, 2016
Thank you John Lewis for leading on gun violence where we need it most. https://t.co/vctfqAH5Wt
— President Obama (@POTUS44) June 22, 2016
.@SpeakerRyan, we will not leave without acting for the victims & families of reckless gun violence. #NoBillNoBreak pic.twitter.com/eTB1WMATMd
— John Lewis (@repjohnlewis) June 23, 2016
LIVE on #Periscope https://t.co/jlvNm3WJJr
— Scott Peters (@ScottPetersSD) June 23, 2016
They can turn off the cameras but they can't keep us quiet. #NoMoreSilence. We want a vote on gun reforms pic.twitter.com/ETZX1WM03b
— Rep. John Larson (@RepJohnLarson) June 22, 2016
This is leadership. https://t.co/8y5fYqRFGU
— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) June 22, 2016
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