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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsHouse sit-in reported in German press: Deutsche Welle
House Democrats stage sit-in for gun control
Democrats have staged a sit-in on the House floor demanding the chamber vote on stricter gun control measures. House Speaker Paul Ryan has called the demonstration a publicity stunt.
Democrats have staged a sit-in on the House floor demanding the chamber vote on stricter gun control measures. House Speaker Paul Ryan has called the demonstration a publicity stunt.
More than 200 Democratic lawmakers blocked the House's legislative agenda on Wednesday, taking to the floor in a bid to force a vote on stricter gun control legislation in the wake of the mass shooting in Orlando.
Led by Georgia Rep. John Lewis, the lawmakers are demanding the House vote to expand background checks and prevent gun purchases for people on certain government watch lists.
Give us a vote! Let us vote! We came here to do our job, we came here to work! The American people are demanding action. #holdthefloor
John Lewis (@repjohnlewis) June 22, 2016
Gun legislation has moved to the top of the US political agenda in the election year after a gunman who claimed allegiance to the so-called "Islamic State" shot up a gay night club in Orlando, killing 49 people.
"How many more mothers, how many more fathers need to shed tears of grief before we do something?" Lewis, a veteran civil rights leader, said from the floor.
"Today we come to the well of the House to dramatize the need for action, not next month, not next year, but today," he said.
Thank you John Lewis for leading on gun violence where we need it most. https://t.co/vctfqAH5Wt
President Obama (@POTUS) June 22, 2016
By late afternoon, 168 House Democrats and 34 Senate Democrats had joined the protest in front of the speaker's podium. Some sat in seats, others sat on the ground.
"No bill, no break," the Democrats shouted, referring to the legislative break next week.
The protest forced the Republican-led House to go into recess.
"The House cannot operate without members following the rules of the institution, so the House has recessed subject to the call of the chair," said AshLee Strong, spokeswoman for House Speaker Paul Ryan.
Read more:
http://www.dw.com/en/house-democrats-stage-sit-in-for-gun-control/a-19349111
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House sit-in reported in German press: Deutsche Welle (Original Post)
Surya Gayatri
Jun 2016
OP
Eugene
(61,900 posts)1. The sit-in is getting press coverage from all over the world.
It's headline news on BBC, The Guardian, Xinhua, AFP, France 24, etc.
sheshe2
(83,791 posts)2. The world is watching....
and the Republicans are on the losing end of the stick.