Democrats Continue Gun Control Sit-In

WASHINGTON — More than a dozen Democratic lawmakers continued their history-making protest on the House floor this morning, after more than 20 hours after a sit-in brought legislative business to a halt and triggered a chaotic, late-night showdown as they demanded a vote on gun control legislation. (USA Today)

We are still here, and we are not backing down. #holdthefloor #DisarmHate #NoBillNoBreak pic.twitter.com/K1meLR7jCY

— Rep.Grace Napolitano (@gracenapolitano) June 22, 2016

“What is the tipping point? Are we blind? Can we see? How many more mothers, how many more fathers need to shed tears of grief before we do something?" exclaimed Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., who kicked off the sit-in. "We have been too quiet for too long. There comes a time when you have to say something, when you have to make a little noise, when you have to move your feet. This is the time. Now is the time to get in the way. The time to act is now. We will be silent no more."

Led by Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., who had called the dramatic protest simply a "publicity stunt," Republicans took back control of the floor at 10 p.m. amid Democrat chants, nearly 11 hours after the sit-in began. Democrats shouted "Shame! Shame!" as House business proceeded and members cast votes on measures unrelated to guns. ( USA Today)

6 hours in and still going strong with @FrankPallone & my @HouseDemocrats colleagues. #NoMoreSilence #NotOneMore pic.twitter.com/qtRVNlOzU4

— Lois Capps (@RepLoisCapps) June 22, 2016

Scores of House lawmakers took to the House floor before noon Wednesday and refused to let Republicans resume regular business until the House voted on gun control. They took turns for hours talking about gun violence, ticking off mass shootings in  Newtown, Conn., Charleston, S.C., San Bernardino, Calif., and Orlando, Fla., where Omar Mateen slaughtered 49 people and injured 53 others June 12.

What made the protest that more historical was its use of today's popular social media platforms. Including Facebook's newest capabilty: "Facebook Live", which allows you to record and livestream whatever it is you're doing to all of your friends. A similar app, Persicope was also used at the protest, giving those of us who weren't able to sit in on the heated meeting a front row seat to all of the action. (USA TODAY)