By Zhao Li
More than 100 Iowa City locals and members of Moms Demand Action organization gathered together on Dec. 12 as part of an “Orange Walk” to call for changes in gun laws both in Iowa and the nation.
“For the survivors of gun violence, we walk today. For our children, we walk today. For the community ravaged by gun violence, we walk today,” demonstrators chanted. “To put our elected officials on notice, we walk today. We’ve hoped for our country. We walk today to end gun violence. We walk today.”
Moms Demand Action, which aims to end gun violence across the country, hosted the walk to commemorate the third anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting, in which 20 children and six adults were killed.
“There are 88 people die in America every day from gun violence,” said Rebecca Truszkowski, local chapter leader for Moms Demand Action. “We want to not just talk about the [Sandy Hook shooting] but be there for all victims of gun violence. We want to march in their honor and show our commitment to do something about it.”
Truszkowski said people from different backgrounds and positions are receptive to the movement.
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“I emailed the [Iowa] legislators, the clergy, etc.,” she said. “All of them are very happy to speak with me.”
Sen. Joe Bolkcom, D-Iowa City, North Liberty Mayor Amy Nielsen, joined Sarah Hunnicutt of the Domestic Violence Intervention Program and Christine Humrichouse from United Methodist Church to speak to the crowd as part of the rally. Many people nodded and applauded during their talks.
“I don’t mind hunters having guns, but the idea that we should have openly carried guns and assault weapons is crazy,” Joyce Carman, an Iowa City local said. “It doesn’t make any sense to me.”
Carman said she believes more background checks are needed for people who want to own guns in the United States so people who shouldn’t have guns don’t have them. She also said she thinks assault weapons should be gotten rid of.
Iowa City local couple Brian and Laurie Cover agreed the country needs to end gun violence now.
“The number of mass shootings these days is just terrifying,” Laurie Cover said.
Iowa City resident Dylan Walsh wants more people to join in the movement to stop gun violence.
“I’ve heard a lot of people are getting hurt with these guns,” the 10-year-old said. “Also, a lot of other people don’t think that, so that’s why we are doing this rally to stop gun violence and also to encourage other people.”
Jess Calhoun, a volunteer with Moms Demand Action, said it’s time for regular folks to stand up and demand a plan from elected officials.
“We are now here, we are visible,” she said. “We are loud. We are moms. We have survivors, and we are not going to give up until we end gun violence.”