Demanding action and progress on the United States gun control legislation, Democratic congress representatives have staged a sit-in on the house floor, in an attempt to sway the chamber’s Republican leadership to allow further voting on gun control amendments.
Following two unsuccessful bills which failed to gain enough support in order to proceed further, the democrat sit-ins, Led by Georgia congressman and civil rights leader John Lewis, appear to be a last-ditch attempt to change the United States out-dated, and seemingly untouchable gun legislation.
The sit-in which began following an emotional plea on the house floor by Lewis in an attempt to convince republicans to vote on the new amendments. Lewis who has been described as “the soul of the United States Congress” said, “We have turned deaf ears to the blood of the innocent and concern of our nation.”
“We are blind to a crisis. Mr. Speaker, where is the heart of this body? Where is our soul? Where is our moral leadership? Where is our courage?”
“Sometimes you have to do something out of the ordinary … Sometimes you have to make a way out of no way. We have been too quiet for too long.”
“There comes a time when you have to say something when you have to make a little noise. When you have to move your feet. This is the time. Now is the time to get in the way. The time to act is now. We will be silent no more. … We have to occupy the floor of the House until there is action.”
More than a dozen Democrats then followed suit, sitting on the floor of the House of Representatives, refusing to move even after the acting speaker placed the session into recess.
Wearing rainbow ribbons in honour and memory of the 49 people killed in the Pulse nightclub attack, the democrats began chanting “no bill, no break,” ignoring the objections of House leadership.
As a result, cameras inside the House were turned off after the speaker’s gavel sounded, however, members of Congress could still be heard chanting.
Watch congressman John Lewis speak below:
https://youtu.be/EZq2F9LcUrI
Last Updated on Jun 23, 2016
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