USA

US-Democrats to quit sit-down strike in Congress

With a spectacular action, democratic legislators wanted to force a sharper weapons law. For the time being without success. However, their leader is a fighter – and he has already achieved a historic success.

John Lewis is 76 years old. The African-American members familiar with public protests: in the 1960s, he has fought on the side of Martin Luther King for equality of the Black, went with the Nobel peace prize for the common thing on the road. Now he was the leader of the sit-down strike in the U.S. Congress, where many democratic members to vote on stricter gun laws wanted to force.

Nearly 26 hours they sat in the chamber of the house of representatives, at one time, more than 100 Democrats were involved in the action. They sang the civil rights anthem “We Hall Overcome” and holding up signs with photos of firearms victims. It was the first such action in the recent history of the U.S. Congress.

Democratic members at the sit-down strike in the chamber of the U.S. house of representatives

“No fly, no buy”

Lewis and his comrades-in-arms wanted to reach out to that someone who appears on a terrorist or no – fly list, not allowed to buy any gun (of the”No fly, no buy”). After the massacre of Orlando at 12. June with 49 Victims, and more than 50 injured, it was reported that the suspected Islamist assassin was able to get the weapons, even though he was been watched by the FBI and questioned.

“The time for Silence is over,” said Lewis, the sit-down strike. “We will not go until we have not achieved something for the victims and survivors of ruthless force of arms.”

No Chance against a Republican majority

Had begun the protest action, after the Republican majority had refused to put bills for a restricted weapons right to vote. The advances had already been rejected by the Republicans in the Senate.

The editorial recommends

Republicans oppose stricter gun laws

It is a Ritual of U.S. politics: a rampage, then the demand for tighter weapons laws delivered from on high by the President. And then the Republicans come in and stop the efforts. (21.06.2016)

Obama calls in Orlando stricter gun laws

The US President came to give the bereaved and Survivors of the attack comfort. His visit of Barack Obama took advantage of, but also to a tightening of the US-are calling for weapons to the right – once again. (16.06.2016)

Barack Obama called the massacre in Orlando “act of terrorism”

US President Obama has called the attack on a gay club in Orlando as an “act of terrorism”. He will probably also be a topic in the election campaign. In the United States is elected in November, a new President. (12.06.2016)

Conservatives in both chambers of the U.S. Congress in the majority. The Chairman of the house of representatives, Republican Paul Ryan, described the sit-down strike as a “PR Trick” and tried, with votes on other issues to restore order – ultimately without success.

As a sign of their protest, the Democrats had begun on Wednesday at 11.25 PM (local time) with the sit-in blockade. Group leader Nany Pelosi said: “Our members have sat on the floor to protest against the fact that we can’t hold a vote. We believe that we would win this vote.”

Resubmission in July

The demonstrators demanded to postpone the Parliamentary recess over the independence day next week, the legislative initiative could be. The Republicans voted in for the session until after the national day 4. To postpone to July.

Word leader John Lewis showed combative, and appealed to his comrades-in-arms, after the two-week parliamentary break “more determined than ever” to return. Backing he got from President Barack Obama. Wrote on the short message service Twitter: “Thank you, John Lewis, that you’re the leader, and the topic of gun violence, where we need it most.”

mak/nin (dpa, afp)