Dems Hail House Sit-In A Success; Republicans Call It 'Publicity Stunt'
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The Orlando massacre prompted dramatic action by House Democrats, who ended a raucous 24-hour sit-in Thursday to get a vote on gun control.
Republicans called the protest a "publicity stunt." But Minnesota Democrats who took part in the protest called it a success.
The sit-in created moments of chaos and anger, including the extraordinary sight of members of Congress shouting down the House Speaker.
Minnesota Democrats were part of the protest: 5th District Congressman Keith Ellison, and briefly: U.S. Sens. Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar.
After Republicans shut off the House microphones and cameras, Democrats used cell phones to broadcast the protest on Periscope, including 4th District Congresswoman Betty McCollum.
"We know the difference between somebody hunting and somebody needing a weapon for personal protection, and somebody having an assault weapon and going out and creating mass mayhem in our community," McCollum said during the protest.
The congresswoman called WCCO-TV from the House during the protest.
She said the sit-in succeeded by drawing attention to Democrat's frustration of not being allowed to debate or vote on stricter gun laws.
"Everybody's election certificate should be respected," she said during the call.
"You don't have to vote with me," she added. "I know I'm not going to win every vote. But people sent us here to vote."
Also during the protest, 8th District Congressman Rick Nolan blamed Republicans for gridlock.
"The people's House!" Nolan said. "And that's what the Speaker and the Republican leadership are denying, this Congress and the American people, and we have to put a stop to it!"
Minnesota's top congressional Republican, 2nd District Rep. John Kline, called the protest a publicity stunt.
"The protest by some Democrats was simply a publicity stunt to distract from the real issue, that, according to the bipartisan 9/11 Commission, we are at war with Islamist extremists," he said in a statement.
