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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 2 hours 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. Democratic Party members are staging a sit-in on the floor of the lower house of the US Congress to demand tighter gun controls after the shootings at a gay nightclub in Florida.
Nearly 100 lawmakers are staging the sit-in, demanding expanded background checks and the blocking of gun sales to terror suspects. One congressman, John Lewis, urged his colleagues to never give up.
Republican Speaker of the House Paul Ryan called it "a publicity stunt". The Republican speaker of the House, Paul Ryan, dismissed the protest as 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 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.
The bill is due to come before the Senate on Thursday. 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.
"Even though it may be a small step forward, at least it is a step forward," Mr Reid said. On 12 June, a man claiming allegiance to the so-called Islamic State group, Omar Mateen, killed 49 people at the Pulse club in Orlando, in the deadliest shooting in modern US history.
'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.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."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 Mr Lewis, a veteran of the civil rights movement of the 1960s.
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.
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.