Local

Congressional Members Move Drive for Federal Gun Reform from House Floor to Chicago’s Federal Plaza


CHICAGO–(ENEWSPF)–June 29, 2016.  A rally called “National Day of Action on Gun Violence Prevention” was hosted today by Representatives Robin Kelly, Jan Schakowsky, Bill Foster, Danny Davis, Mike Quigley and Steny Hoyer. Similar rallies were held across the country today to continue conveying the urgency for gun reform initiated on the House floor last week.

The Congressional members veered their cause for common sense gun legislation from the House Chamber to the home front by holding the rally in Chicago’s Federal Plaza.

“The only way we can win the fight for sensible gun laws is by building a social movement,” Congresswoman Kelly said. “There is a growing national movement for reform, but in order for this progress to deepen, we need to grow and expand the ranks of our soldiers for peace.  Only then will our voices be heard loud and clear. This is the only way meaningful change will occur — especially on a national level.”

“I was proud to join my Democratic colleagues in Chicago today for a National Day of Action to demand an end to the killing that has plagued the streets of this city and communities across the country,” said Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer. “With Republicans in Congress refusing to allow a vote even on the most bipartisan, most widely supported ideas – preventing those on the terror watch list from buying guns and expanding background checks – House Democrats, led by civil rights hero Rep. John Lewis, held a historic sit-in on the floor of the House to draw attention to the crisis of gun violence.  We owe it to those who lost loved ones to gun violence to demand real action – and we will continue to do so. I join in thanking Reps. Kelly and Schakowsky for organizing today’s event, and together we will continue to put pressure on Republicans in Congress to act.”

“Last week, my colleagues and I held an historic 26-hour sit-in on the floor of the House of Representatives demanding action to end gun violence,” said Rep. Schakowsky.  “We need to turn this moment into a movement.  Today, people all across the country are joining in that demand – building support by participating in the National Day of Action to Prevent Gun Violence.  We’ve had enough – it is time to keep our children and our communities safe, to disarm hatred, and to end the terror caused by assault weapons.  We will continue to sit in, to speak out and to stand up for as long as it takes to move the Republican House leadership to act.  Working together, we will succeed.”

Kelly said Democrats needed to vigorously remind their Republican colleagues that the majority of Americans are in favor of common sense gun legislation and that all Americans want to protect their families and communities from random, senseless gun violence.

Also attending the rally were Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Reverend Michael Pfleger, gun control activists and families of local gun violence victims.

Source: http://www.robinkelly.house.gov

 

 


ARCHIVES