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Democrats hold Congress 'sit-in' protest to force gun control vote Democrats hold Congress 'sit-in' protest to force gun control vote
(about 1 hour later)
Democrats in the US Congress are refusing to leave the floor of the House of Representatives in order to force a vote on gun control laws.Democrats in the US Congress are refusing to leave the floor of the House of Representatives in order to force a vote on gun control laws.
Nearly 100 lawmakers are staging the protest, demanding expanded background checks and the blocking of gun sales to terror suspects. Nearly 100 lawmakers are staging the sit-in, demanding expanded background checks and the blocking of gun sales to terror suspects.
It follows the shooting of 49 people at a nightclub in Florida this month. Republican Speaker of the House Paul Ryan called it "a publicity stunt".
Senators are pushing for a compromise, with top Democratic Senator Harry Reid supporting a Republican proposal.Senators are pushing for a compromise, with top Democratic Senator Harry Reid supporting a Republican proposal.
Mr Reid said he supported new legislation proposed by Republican Senator Susan Collins that that would stop gun sales to a limited number of people who are on some terrorism watch lists. Mr Reid said he supported new legislation proposed by Republican Senator Susan Collins that would stop gun sales to a limited number of people who are on some terrorism watch lists.
"Even though it may be a small step forward, at least it is a step forward," Mr Reid said in a statement. The bill is due to come before the Senate on Thursday.
"Even though it may be a small step forward, at least it is a step forward," Mr Reid said.
'No bill, no break''No bill, no break'
House Speaker Paul Ryan told CNN he would not bring a gun control vote in the House of Representatives.
"They know that we will not bring a bill that takes away a person's constitutionally guaranteed rights without... due process," he said.
Republicans, who control Congress, called a recess which forced the cameras to be switched off.Republicans, who control Congress, called a recess which forced the cameras to be switched off.
So the protesters took their message online. Some are tweeting pictures and one Congressman has been streaming video using the Periscope app.So the protesters took their message online. Some are tweeting pictures and one Congressman has been streaming video using the Periscope app.
The effort is being led by John Lewis, a veteran of the civil rights movement of the 1960s.The effort is being led by John Lewis, a veteran of the civil rights movement of the 1960s.
Four bills since the attack in Orlando have failed to pass the Senate, but a compromise bill with some support from both parties is due to come before the Senate on Thursday.
President Barack Obama took to Twitter to thank Mr Lewis "for leading on gun violence where we need it most".President Barack Obama took to Twitter to thank Mr Lewis "for leading on gun violence where we need it most".
Legislators chanted "no bill, no break" and sang 1960s protest songs.Legislators chanted "no bill, no break" and sang 1960s protest songs.
"What has this body done [to respond to the violence]?'' Mr Lewis asked, referring to several failed efforts in the past week to pass a gun control bill."What has this body done [to respond to the violence]?'' Mr Lewis asked, referring to several failed efforts in the past week to pass a gun control bill.
"Nothing. We have turned a deaf ear to the blood of innocents. We are blind to a crisis. Where is our courage? How many more mothers... and fathers need to shed tears of grief?""Nothing. We have turned a deaf ear to the blood of innocents. We are blind to a crisis. Where is our courage? How many more mothers... and fathers need to shed tears of grief?"
"Rise up Democrats, rise up Americans,'' Connecticut Representative John Larson said to his colleagues."Rise up Democrats, rise up Americans,'' Connecticut Representative John Larson said to his colleagues.
Connecticut is the state where 20 children and six adults were shot dead in 2012 at the Sandy Hook primary school.Connecticut is the state where 20 children and six adults were shot dead in 2012 at the Sandy Hook primary school.
"We will occupy this chamber," Mr Larson told his colleagues before cameras were switched off."We will occupy this chamber," Mr Larson told his colleagues before cameras were switched off.
A spokesperson for Paul Ryan, the Republican Speaker of the House, tweeted: "The House cannot operate without members following the rules of the institution, so the House has recessed subject to the call of the chair."
The lawmakers want a vote to be held before the scheduled break at the end of the week, ending on 5 July.The lawmakers want a vote to be held before the scheduled break at the end of the week, ending on 5 July.