Newtown residents to join gun control march in Washington

[IDemo]

Source: NBC News

Residents of Newtown, Conn., the scene of a school massacre in which 20 children and six adults were killed last month, were expected to join thousands of people gathered on the National Mall in Washington on Saturday for a march supporting gun control.

Similar organized demonstrations were planned in support of gun control in about a dozen other places across the United States, according to organizers.

In addition to the 100 people expected from Newtown, organizers told The Associated Press participants from New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia would join the demonstration.

Led by Mayor Vincent Gray, a crowd that stretched for about two blocks marched down Constitution Avenue toward the Washington Monument, where speakers called for a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition.

Read more: http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/01/26/16712528-newtown-residents-to-join-gun-control-march-in-washington?lite

[CBHagman]

1. I was going to participate...

...but my immune system malfunctioned at just the wrong time.

All the best to the marchers and, most of all, let them be seen and heard and heeded.

[Raine1967]

2. I was there today.

and it appears that more than originally expected came out. There were people from Vermont, arizona, California, Alaska, Maryland, Virginia, Massachusetts -- just off the top of my head. We walked behind the Sandy Hook families and One Millions Mom's for Gun control. One of the Newtown Students gave us green ribbons to wear.

It was really nice. Eleanor Holmes Norton, Arnie Duncan and Representative Chris VanHolland were just a few of the speakers. The woman who organized this reported that she was getting estimates that close to 6 thousand people came out for the silent march.

[freshwest]

3. Thank you for the report. I hope none of the 'troofers' showed up to ridicule grieving marchers.

[Raine1967]

4. No. none of that. However

one fellow decided to wander in the thick of it. He has a sign that said *HOW will you take away my guns?*

He was mostly ignored. I was just so angry that this person would do this. I believe he was asked to leave when he went over to show his sign in the area where the Newtown families sat. He decided to show up and mingle in between those of us who wanted to listen and hear what people had to say -- he was reprehensible. He was full of disrespect, he was quiet, mind you -- nut just his presence was to agitate. That said, he was largely ingnored. Non violence came thru and I had the idea of MLK with me, and I suspect so did everyone else around us.

It was around that time when people were presented with a local theatre group that sang "What's going on" originally sung by Marvin Gaye.

One fellow tried to hide his sign (his was one that reminded people that the Victims of the DC sniper are also part of gun violence). Eventually the media pool told him to lower the sign as it was getting in the way of the speakers.

No troofers. We had a few anti protesters at the beginning of the march, and when I say a few, I mean about 5-7 people. They were ignored.

[Chorophyll]

5. Thanks so much for going, and for reporting back.

I wish this a bigger deal here today. :/

[Raine1967]

7. It made me feel better in my heart.

I knew I wasn't alone, but being able to walk with so many people I knew fell the way I felt seemed to take a burden off my soul that I have not been able to since this massacre.

The focus was about prevention. It was about change. It was about how Yes we can instead of why. The head of the Childrens Defense fun was there, she quoted Sojourner Truth. specifically this: "Facing a heckler once who told her he did not care for her anti-slavery talk anymore than he would for the bite of a flea, Truth retorted, "Perhaps not, but Lord willing I'll keep you scratching."

[Chorophyll]

11. ...

[Raine1967]

13. and to you:

[RandiFan1290]

8. Here's how they did it in Louisiana

[Raine1967]

9. Are you kidding me? You really are doing this?

I am going to respectfully ask you to elaborate on why you felt the need to post this video.

Please, explain.

ETA: I might be judging, and I hope I am wrong.

[RandiFan1290]

10. The man wanted to know how his guns could be taken

That was one way it was done. I didn't see much resistance either.
They like to think they will hold up and have a shootout with the police or National Guard. That didn't happen in LA.

[Raine1967]

12. ok. thanks -- eom

[CBHagman]

15. NRA types showed at the first Million Mom March.

They went right into the midst of the gun control supporters and tried to disrupt. In time they left, but they made a point of getting in the MMM people's faces.

[CBHagman]

14. Thanks for the report!

I'm so pleased to hear Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) was there, but I'm especially pleased to hear the administration was represented.

And that turnout is good considering the relatively short planning period and the snow on the ground.

[Chorophyll]

6. Kick and DU Rec.