As President Trump leaves Atlanta after speaking at the National Rifle Association convention, many supporters from the Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America organization rallied at Woodruff Park Saturday morning, in hopes of ending gun violence.
Moms Demand Action Founder Shannon Watts started the group in 2012 after a deadly shooting massacre in Newton, Conn. “We are the grassroots power of the gun violence prevention movement,” said Watts. Some families who lost loved one due to gun violence accompanied Watts, to speak out at the park Saturday demanding action against the states’ gun laws. Atlanta U.S. Rep John Lewis told the 75-100 member crowd his thoughts on tonight’s NRA convention. “I must say to the NRA that you are not welcome here in the 5th district, you are not welcome here in Atlanta,” said Lewis. The 146th NRA convention kicked off Friday and is expected to have at leave 80,000 attendees according to the National Rifle Association’s Annual Meetings.
Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America strongly opposes Georgia’s campus carry bill. The bill has many Georgia colleges and universities highly anticipating its outcome as it sits at the state capitol. The organization is urging Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal to veto the campus carry bill in doing so by launching a television ad asking the governor to keep his 2016 words. “College campuses should be a ‘gun free’ zone is a concept that has deep roots in Georgia” said Gov. Deal.
“This is still a dangerous bill and just like last year, it has failed to earn the support of university faculty or student government organizations in our state,” said Lindsey Donovan, volunteer leader of the Georgia chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America.
With gun violence increasing across Georgia the group has no intentions at slowing down. Moms Demand Action travels to various states to fight for citizens in addition to demanding action and accountability from state leaders for stricter gun laws.
Photo Courtesy: Michael Cornell
