| Protests will be held in various cities and states in the USA. The event is scheduled on the anniversary of Martin Luther King's historic March on Washington in 1963.
Protest Against Illegal Guns on August 28
On August 28, activists in cities across America will hold a national day of protest to focus attention on the scourge of illegal gun trafficking. August 28th is the anniversary of Martin Luther King's historic March on Washington in 1963.
The Brady Campaign and its network of Million Mom March Chapters is supporting the efforts of Reverend Jesse Jackson's Rainbow PUSH Coalition to draw attention to gun violence by organizing local events to be held in cities across America. So far, Brady Campaign activists have confirmed more than a dozen events, and more are expected.
"August 28, 1963, was a watershed moment in American history, and one that will be forever linked to social change and social justice" said Brady Campaign President Paul Helmke. "We can't achieve Dr. King's "dream" of what America can be when we lose 32 people every day to gun murders. Dr. King's focus on civil rights and non-violence should lead us now to ask each other and our leaders, 'What are you going to do about gun violence?'"
Some of the cities planning events for the national day of protest are Phoenix, Arizona; San Diego, California; Dallas, Texas; Seattle, Washington; Raleigh, North Carolina; and Duluth, Minnesota. "Lie-ins," symbolizing and remembering the 32 people who are murdered with firearms every day in America, will be staged in at least five other cities. In addition, activists in California plan to launch a statewide campaign on August 28th to build support for a crime-fighting "microstamping" bill being considered by the State Legislature.
Last month, Paul Helmke was in Chicago in support of a series of local protests organized by the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. Designed to highlight the role played by corrupt gun dealers, the protests drew nationwide attention to the issue of illegal trafficking in firearms. While most gun dealers never sell a single gun that ends up in a criminal's hands, 1% of the nation's gun dealers account for 60% of the nation's crime guns. Those dealers directly contribute to the market for illegal guns. The August 28 rallies will focus the public and push leaders at all levels of government to take action against the illegal gun market and to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous individuals.
For continuing insight and comment on the gun issue, read Paul Helmke's blog at www.bradycampaign.org/blog/ and visit the Brady Campaign's website at www.bradycampaign.org.
As the nation's largest, non-partisan, grassroots organization leading the fight to prevent gun violence, the Brady Campaign, working with its dedicated network of Million Mom March Chapters, is devoted to creating an America free from gun violence, where all Americans are safe at home, at school, at work, and in our communities.
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