A coalition of gun control advocates, gun violence victims and religious groups are planning to hold a vigil outside the White House Friday at 4:30 PM, just hours after the shooting at an elementary school in Connecticut. According to some of those participating in the protest, the event developed “organically” out of concern for the tragedy as well as White House Press Secretary Jay Carney’s contention in the hours after the shooting that “today is not the day” to discuss gun control.
The progressive National Organizing Institute posted details on the even to its website, and pointed to Carney’s quote. “Join us for direct action to tell President Obama,” the site reads. “Today IS the day.”
Some protesters are calling on Obama to put force behind a new gun control push.
“We’ve been pushing this issue off for far too long,” said Andy Pelosi, a gun control advocate who plans to attend the protest. Today is the day for the president to lead and use his moral leadership and his bullypulpit to help reduce gun violence in the US.”
