The house is a rockin’ with chants of #NoBillNoBreak and #NoFlyNoBuy as Dems take their seats—on the floor.
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Sometimes it isn’t about thinking you can win, it’s about not giving up on being heard. Yesterday Democratic house leaders demanded a vote on gun control legislation, House Speaker Paul Ryan denied them. John Lewis responded like the civil rights leader he’s always been, moving to the lectern and calling his colleagues to join him. “We have turned deaf ears to the blood of the innocent and the concern of our nation,” he said. And John Lewis knows a little bit about how to get the attention of deaf ears.
This is what @repjohnlewis endured to vote. He’s not afraid of GOP turning off cameras or lights #NoBillNoBreak pic.twitter.com/C4EpAqJQHe
— Ari Berman (@AriBerman) June 23, 2016
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Dems took to the floor, some sitting, some lounging.
Protesters gathered outside the U.S. Capitol to show their support for House Dems tonight #NoBillNoBreak https://t.co/kLZ9f3t5aC
— Paige Lavender (@paigelav) June 23, 2016
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A crowd gathered to support them.
A message for @SpeakerRyan from the citizens outside the @uscapitol. #ShameOnYou #NoBillNoBreak @HouseDemocrats pic.twitter.com/bFe3cJX2Er
— Caitlin S, PhD (@Paleophile) June 23, 2016
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And some folks made sure they weren’t going to starve.
Someone in California paid $344 to deliver 10-12 Domino’s pizzas to John Lewis. This woman is excited to deliver em. pic.twitter.com/sIaAP0Rwg5
— Jennifer Bendery (@jbendery) June 23, 2016
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Paul Ryan ordered the C-Span cameras turned off, but that’s what social media’s for, right?
The revolution will not be televised…
Because the Republicans turned off the cameras.
@CSPAN turns to social media. #NoBillNoBreak— Thom Atkinson (@ThomAtHome) June 22, 2016
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“We Shall Overcome” echoed through the halls.
History being made on the House floor. Led by @RepJohnLewis, we sang “We Shall Overcome.” #NoBillNoBreakhttps://t.co/BrV2N5kl6n
— Rep. Barbara Lee (@RepBarbaraLee) June 23, 2016
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And twitter exploded
You have the American ppl behind you @HouseDemocrats; 83% of us support your common sense proposals #NoBillNoBreak pic.twitter.com/QsHTWy8KIO
— Laura (@SheWhoVotes) June 23, 2016
The same party calling #NoBillNoBreak a stunt read Green Eggs and Ham to shut down our government. Let that sink in for a minute @SenTedCruz
— James Hamric (@HokieinSA) June 23, 2016
This!#NoBillNoBreak pic.twitter.com/odpstGsXQJ
— (((Anne Sagebiel))) (@AnnieSage) June 23, 2016
I planned to go to bed early tonight. Then, democracy happened. #nobillnobreak #eyesglued
— Tricia Cotham (@triciacotham) June 23, 2016
Civil disobedience against the government, by the government.
This is A moment! Democracy in action! #NoBillNoBreak ??✌?️
— Matthew Modine (@MatthewModine) June 23, 2016
Shocking and sad. https://t.co/ZzY4Akwaxn
— Kerney Perlik (@KerneyMSP) June 22, 2016
It is indeed shocking and sad.
But for all that this sit in isn’t likely to result in a vote on gun control measures,it is a rallying cry. And people are rallying. Which gives us hope.
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Source: 30dB.com – %23NoBillNoBreak
“At 60% positive social is behind the Congressional sit in and #NoBillNoBreak. The positives are all about thanks and support for the Democratic House members’ efforts to bring commonsense gun control measures to a vote.” Howard K. 36db
Photo: AP Video Frame Grab
My, how brave those Democrats were, facing down a hostile media and demanding that they get their way, even though they lack the votes to pass it. And so democratic, too!
Just saying that everyone and his dog supports restrictive gun laws doesn’t make it true. Not even if you’ve been repeating that claim for 50 years.