UPDATE: The sit-in ended on June 23rd, just after the 24-hour mark.
We got in trouble. We got in the way. Good trouble. Necessary Trouble. By sitting-in, we were really standing up. #NoBillNoBreak
— John Lewis (@repjohnlewis) June 23, 2016
We must never ever give up or give in. We must keep the faith. We must come back here on July 5 more determined than ever before.
— John Lewis (@repjohnlewis) June 23, 2016
Wednesday, Rep. John Lewis of Georgia led a sit-in on the floor of the House of Representatives, that is ongoing as of Thursday morning. The House Democrats are hoping the peaceful demonstration will force House Republicans to vote on legislation that could prevent deadly shooting tragedies such as Pulse Orlando nightclub two weeks ago and Sandy Hook Elementary in 2012.
Tensions flared when House Speaker Ryan attempted to control the sit-in.
Chaos erupts as GOP tries to restore order amid raucous House Democrats’ gun control sit-in. https://t.co/qXtUAb8bsS https://t.co/28WSvLqWzV
— ABC News (@ABC) June 23, 2016
In another attempt, Ryan and other GOP leaders took to Twitter with #StopTheStunt in retaliation.
Retweet if you agree → The sit-in by House Democrats is nothing more than a publicity stunt. #StopTheStunthttps://t.co/YGgl2yLHyB
— Paul Ryan (@SpeakerRyan) June 22, 2016
Outrageous! @HouseGOP is trying to adjourn #NoBillNoBreak sit in. We will stand strong!
— Rep. Barbara Lee (@RepBarbaraLee) June 23, 2016
After C-Span shut off its cameras, Rep. Eric Swalwell began to Periscope the sit-in.
LIVE on #Periscope: It’s 5AM & we aren’t sleeping. House Dems continue to demand action to end gun violence. #NoBil… https://t.co/ujY3zIUuJi
— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) June 23, 2016
Overnight outside of the U.S. Capitol building, supporters stood in solidarity chanting, “We’re with John”.
It’s 4:30 AM and we are still here at the US Capital #NoBillNoBreak pic.twitter.com/HDYKIXUzVh
— Aaron Black (@BlackCatUnloads) June 23, 2016
Citizens outside the @uscapitol singing. So beautiful. #WeShallLiveInPeace #NoBillNoBreak @HouseDemocrats pic.twitter.com/aOBnSB3p7V
— Caitlin S, PhD (@Paleophile) June 23, 2016
Despite the House Republicans’ protest, House Democrats continued their fight and shared updates via Twitter.
15 hours in and @HouseDemocrats haven’t lost our voices. #NoBillNoBreak
— Rep. John Larson (@RepJohnLarson) June 23, 2016
We’ve crossed the 15 hour mark. #NoFlyNoBuy #NoBillNoBreak pic.twitter.com/QDjV09HLry
— Joyce Beatty (@RepBeatty) June 23, 2016
Still at it. It’s 2:45 AM and we’re not giving up. Been here for 16 hours and counting! #NoBillNoBreak pic.twitter.com/eOb9025qm1
— Sean Patrick Maloney (@spmaloney) June 23, 2016
4am in DC and my @HouseDemocrats colleagues and I are still standing up for sensible gun reforms! #NoBillNoBreak pic.twitter.com/loRNxR1NtF
— Eliot Engel (@RepEliotEngel) June 23, 2016
With my colleagues at 3:17 AM #NoBillNoBreak pic.twitter.com/grslvwxtOO
— Rep. John Delaney (@RepJohnDelaney) June 23, 2016
Twitter continues to praise them.
Salute @repjohnlewis for your leadership and your work throughout the years. #NoBillNoBreak
— Cynthia Reauxse ⚜ (@SheSeauxSaditty) June 23, 2016
Rep Duckworth left her wheelchair to join the sit in. This is what @SpeakerRyan won’t let you see. #NoBillNoBreak pic.twitter.com/XslTocPePA
— Rachael Siemen (@rsiem) June 23, 2016
By asking the obvious questions…
If you are a responsible gun owner, why would you oppose universal background checks? #NoMoreExcuses, #NoBillNoBreak
— Steve Blum (@blumspew) June 23, 2016
Calling out House Republicans on their legislation…
They’ll ban abortions. They’ll ban gay marriage. They’ll ban Islam.
But somehow, banning guns is the threat to freedom.#NoBillNoBreak
— (((Charles Clymer))) (@cmclymer) June 23, 2016
And sharing the frightening numbers from mass shootings in our country.
9 people in church
12 people in movie theater
14 people at office party
20 elementary school kids
49 people in gay nightclub#NoBillNoBreak— Gina Belafonte (@GinaBelafonte) June 23, 2016
The sit-in comes less than a week after the 15-hour filibuster led by Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn) calling on lawmakers to pass key legislation for tighter gun laws. However, people were hardly surprised that Rep. John Lewis is leading this second wave of protest for gun control. As a civil rights legend, Lewis is no stranger to taking a stance for what he believes in.
On Twitter, photos of Lewis protesting in the 1960s began to surface.
John Lewis staging a sit-in Nashville in the 1960s v John Lewis staging a sit-in in Washington in 2016 pic.twitter.com/w2EoTG7fWj
— georgia (@normanisreyes) June 22, 2016
The contrast is startling.
Yall wanna know why @repjohnlewis is the truth? The man literally marched with us in the rain. #NoBillNoBreak pic.twitter.com/8ojimcCvrX
— Grown Man Gambino (@Freeyourmindkid) June 23, 2016
