Thousands march in Washington for stricter gun control
Protesters, backed by senior officials, marched in silence for around 30 minutes along the National Mall near the US Capitol and Washington Monument, carrying white placards marked with the names and pictures of gun crime victims.
Thousands of people marched in Washington on Saturday to demand stronger gun control legislation, in a solemn rally six weeks after the shocking massacre of young children at a Connecticut school.
Protesters, backed by senior officials, marched in silence for around 30 minutes along the National Mall near the US Capitol and Washington Monument, carrying white placards marked with the names and pictures of gun crime victims.
A shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut last month, that saw a gunman mow down 20 young children and six adults, has sparked a furious national debate over gun ownership. The shooter used a military-style assault weapon and handguns.
“No more talk. We must act, we must act, we must act,” Education Secretary Arne Duncan said, telling the crowd that when he headed up a network of Chicago schools from 1990 to 2000, a child was buried every two weeks due to gun violence.
“This has to change. Our children, our families, our communities, our country deserve better,” he said to thunderous applause.