Protests and protestors are lining up for the City Center gun show Saturday and Sunday, though not for admission. Three groups are set up to protest the gun show: MoveOn(.org), Saratoga Peace Alliance and Saratogians for Gun Safety (which was established Jan. 4, according to their Facebook)

Anyway, got this press release from MoveOn.org today, and I thought I'd share it.

Here it is:

In the wake of the unspeakable tragedy in Connecticut in December, and in light of the daily killings of innocent children disproportionately of color in our communities, MoveOn members and other concerned citizens from the Saratoga and Capitol Region are holding a Speak-out on Ending Gun Violence, starting at 2:15 pm Saturday Jan 12th outside the Saratoga Springs City Center at Broadway and Ellsworth Jones Place in Saratoga Springs NY.  This event follows the Saratoga Peace Alliance’s Silent Vigil from 1:15 to 2:15 pm.  A number of community leaders, clergy & elected officials have been invited to speak, and there will be an Open Mic to give everyone a chance to speak. We invite the public to join us for a civil, rational discussion on common-sense solutions to the problem of gun violence.

This time and place were chosen by MoveOn organizers and allies because of the presence of the annual gun show at the City Center, to highlight what has become perhaps the number one public health problem in our nation.  Alternet reports that there have been more than 400 gun deaths in America since the Newtown massacre on December 14th.

“While we may disagree about the extent of rights granted under the Second Constitutional Amendment, there is no denying that something must be done now to halt mass killings like Sandy Hook and the daily carnage in our inner city communities,” said MoveOn Regional Organizer Susan Weber from Albany.

“We demand a comprehensive and bold response by our civic and political leaders, and we demand it now.  The spread of military-style weapons and ammunition must be curtailed.  They have no legitimate purpose in civil society.  We must all get serious about dealing with this public health hazard,” said MoveOn Council Organizer Sharon McFarlane from Wilton,

“Why haven’t we passed common-sense Gun Control in America?” asked Joe Seeman, MoveOn member from Ballston Spa. “Because the Money of the Gun Manufacturers holds too much sway over our politicians. We need to get Corporate Money out of Politics if we want to finally address this problem and the other urgent problems our country faces”.

In addition to the Speak-Out, MoveOn members are hosting a petition to President Obama, created by Lori Haas, the mother of a survivor of the VA Tech massacre, on SignOn.org, telling him, "Today is the day to talk about the deadly toll of gun violence on American families, communities, and especially, our kids," and demanding that the president offer a plan to enact common-sense gun safety policies.
You can see and sign the petition here: http://signon.org/sign/today-is-the-day-to-talk


WHAT:  Speakout on Ending Gun Violence
WHO:  MoveOn members and concerned members of the community
WHEN:  2:15 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013 (following the Saratoga Peace Alliance Silent Vigil)
WHERE:  Corner Broadway and Ellsworth Jones Place, Saratoga Springs, NY
WHY:  To call for government and citizens to address the public health issue that is gun violence in America

Note: concerned citizens who wish to participate are asked to RSVP at
http://pol.moveon.org/event/wearethe99/136801  or https://www.facebook.com/events/453734568013532/

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