'We Shall Stop the Guns' sing-along captures energy of National Day of Action on gun violence

Brett T. | 9:51 PM on June 29, 2016

While much of America’s attention Wednesday remained focused on the suspected terrorist suicide bombings that killed more than 40 people and injured hundreds at Istanbul’s Ataturk International Airport, the Democrats’ National Day of Action for Commonsense Gun Violence Prevention went on as scheduled, in hopes to maintain the momentum of the 25-hour catered sit-in by House Democrats.

Americans will no longer tolerate gun violence. That's why tomorrow they'll make their voices heard to #DisarmHate. https://t.co/OiVNmr9hWZ

— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) June 28, 2016

Hey lady did you notice an airport was blown up today? Who cares about your distraction of gun control.

— Donna Delia (@DeliaDonna) June 28, 2016

We owe families across America more than our thoughts. We owe them a vote on real, commonsense action to #DisarmHate pic.twitter.com/p3lIljEz7T

— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) June 29, 2016

President Obama’s senior advisor, Valerie Jarrett, sent along her thanks Wednesday evening to all who participated.

Thanks @HouseDemocrats & @HouseGVP for the #NationalDayofAction on gun violence.

— Valerie Jarrett (@vj44) June 29, 2016

Turnout was, shall we say, modest at many of the events across the country, although Chicago managed to attract quite a crowd, particularly with the help of the SEIU.

We're with Rep. @janschakowsky on the #NationalDayOfAction to call for an end to gun violence! #EnoughIsEnough pic.twitter.com/wVPgvLqkRH

— SEIU Local 1 (@SEIULocal1) June 29, 2016

Addressing crowd at Federal Plaza Chicago #NationalDayOfAction to end gun violence. #WeWillNotStop #CommonSense pic.twitter.com/M5ZyUW27Ce

— Robin Kelly (@RobinLynneKelly) June 29, 2016

One could argue that Democrat stronghold Chicago already has more than its share of “gun safety” legislation, but today’s event followed a weekend in which 8 people were killed and 50 injured in shootings across the city, according to the Chicago Tribune, which notes that more than 1,880 people have been shot so far in 2016.

It's past time we #DisarmHate. Proud to join with #gunsafety advocates for a NY sit-in on this Nat'l Day of Action pic.twitter.com/VAOpj6akoA

— Carolyn B. Maloney (@RepMaloney) June 29, 2016

Rather than stand behind a lectern, Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney of New York tried to keep the protest spirit of the House sit-in going with a sit-in of her own in Carl Schurz Park, when instead of “We Shall Overcome,” the participants broke into a rendition of “We Shall Stop the Guns,” and it went a little something like this:

.@Bradybuzz @RepMaloney and gun violence survivors sing "We Will Stop The Guns." @NYDailyNews #guncontrol pic.twitter.com/RtS7QpHuWf

— Edgar Sandoval (@edjsandoval) June 29, 2016

most pathetic people I've ever seen.

— Kay (@KayBadie) June 29, 2016

That’s not nice, and its demonstrably untrue. The handful of Bernie Sanders supporters who held a Wiccan prayer ritual in a Portland Park are holding tight to that honor, but competition is heating up.