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Posted by Robin Lasersohn on May 17, 2018 in Uncategorized | 0 comments

33 Arrested at Senator Toomey’s Office

Here’s our accounting report on yesterday’s Demand the Ban action:
One AR-15 semi-automatic rifle was melted down and beaten into a plowshare by the peacemaking blacksmiths from RAW Tools.

300 fired-up gun sense advocates marched from Old First Reformed Church of Christto Senator Toomey’s office located inside the federal U.S. Custom House. The spirited throng of marchers chanted, “United We Stand – Demand the Ban!”and “Senator Toomey you can’t hide – Demand the Ban – or step aside.” The marchers then participated in an energetic rally with more, chants, songs, and speeches calling on Senator Toomey to announce his support for a federal assault weapons ban.

100 or more federal and Philadelphialaw enforcement officers were mobilized behind barricades to make sure that nonviolent constituents were blocked from visiting the taxpayer-funded officeof their own U.S. senator.

33 courageous nonviolent activistswere arrested for attempting to visit the heavily-defended office of Senator Toomey and then refusing to leave until the senator announced that he would co-sponsor S.2095, Assault Weapons Ban of 2017.

12 individuals from Delaware County were arrested as a part of the nonviolent civil disobedience action (Julie Breen, Ralph Ciampa, Bill Clinton, Mary Clinton, Jessica Frankl, Peter Friedrichs, Bonnie Hallam, Robin Lasersohn, Fran Sheldon, Paul Sheldon, Terry Rumsey, and Elaine Vetre).

One U.S. senator and his 99 colleagues were put on notice that a new, inspired movement to ban assault weapons is committed to organizing a nonviolent direct action campaign that disrupts business as usual until these weapons of war and mass terrorism are forever bannedin the United States of America.

More photos below and even more photos and videos available on our Facebook page — check them out, like the page and follow Delco United.

Posted by Robin Lasersohn on Jan 16, 2018 in Uncategorized | 0 comments

Demand the Ban

Announcing a Direct Action to DEMAND THE BAN

Make semi-automatic assault weapons illegal nationwide

Meltdown and Repurpose an Assault Weapon as a Symbol of Life
March to and Legal Rally at U.S. Senator Toomey’s Office
Deliver the Repurposed Assault Weapon to Senator Toomey
Nonviolent Civil Disobedience to Demand the Ban

SAVE THE DATE!

Wednesday, March 21, 2018 in Philadelphia

10:00 am: Gather at Arch Street Friends Meeting House, 4^th and Arch Streets Ceremonial meltdown and repurposing of an assault weapon into a Symbol of Life

11:00 am: Procession to Senator Toomey’s Office, 200 Chestnut Street Short walk from Arch Street Friends Meeting House to Senator’s Toomey’s office

11:30 am: Legal Rally at Senator Toomey’s Office Demand Toomey’s Co-sponsorship of S.2095, Assault Weapons Ban of 2017

12:00 Noon: Nonviolent Civil Disobedience Action* A group of nonviolent advocates will attempt to deliver the Repurposed Assault Weapon/Symbol of Life to Senator Toomey and will occupy his office until he co-sponsors S.2095

Why are we demanding a nationwide ban on rapid firing, semi-automatic assault weapons?

While the profiles of mass shooters vary, their weapon of choice does not. Rapid-firing, semi-automatic assault weapons have been used in multiple mass shootings over the last five years in the United States, causing unimaginable carnage and human suffering. These weapons are designed to kill as many people as possible, in as little time as possible. They are weapons of war that have no legitimate role in civilian life. Enough! We Demand the Ban.

For more information: http://lawcenter.giffords.org/gun-laws/policy-areas/hardware-ammunition/assault-weapons

Why are we focusing on Senator Patrick Toomey?

When U.S. Senator Patrick Toomey (R-PA) co-sponsored the 2013 Toomey-Manchin bill to expand national background checks on gun sales, he received extremely favorable national media coverage. In 2016, Senator Toomey was endorsed by some national gun violence prevention organizations and individuals, helping the senator win reelection in an extremely close race. It’s time for Senator Toomey to earn his reputation as a national leader to prevent gun violence. Since he has refused to meet with Demand the Ban organizers to discuss a ban on assault weapons, we are mobilizing people from Pennsylvania and throughout the United States to bring the Demand the Ban to Senator Toomey’s office in Philadelphia on March 21, 2018.

Why are we conducting Direct Action and Nonviolent Civil Disobedience?

Recent public opinion polls have reported that 2 in 3 Americans support a ban on rapid-firing, semi-automatic assault weapons. Yet, our national political leaders refuse to act to protect our children and families. In the great tradition of the U.S. movements for slavery abolition, women’s suffrage, civil rights, and other human rights struggles, we are calling on members of the gun violence prevention movement to take direct action and engage in nonviolent civil disobedience. Gun violence prevention advocates from the Philadelphia-area, across Pennsylvania, and throughout the United States are invited to join us on March 21, 2018.

*Individuals participating the nonviolent civil disobedience action WILL be risking arrest. Any individual participating in the nonviolence civil disobedience action will be required to attend a day-long non-violence training and pledge to adhere to the Action’s nonviolence discipline. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING IN THE NONVIOLENCE CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE ACTION ON MARCH 21^st, PLEASE CONTACT: Terry Rumsey at terry@delcounited.net or

484-326-1370

The Demand the Ban Direct Action is being sponsored by:

CHARLES Foundation, Delaware County United for Sensible Gun Policy, Heeding God’s Call to End Gun Violence, Raw Tools, and The Simple Way

Posted by Robin Lasersohn on Jul 18, 2016 in Uncategorized | 0 comments

Gun fire from sea to shining sea

Orlando. Baton Rouge. Minneapolis-St. Paul. Dallas. Baton Rouge, again…and Chester, Philadelphia, and some other city or town in America almost every day of the week this summer.

Hate crime gun violence against LGBT people. Police gun violence against black men. Retaliatory gun violence against police officers. Just “normal” every day gun violence against children, men, and women whose faces will never be seen on CNN or flashed on a million mobile phone screens.

It has been a summer of gunfire followed by shock, grief, vigils, funerals, angry speeches, healing speeches, and a deep sense of foreboding across our nation.

One thing is for certain. We are killing each other with guns.

Delaware County United for Sensible Gun Policy does not have all the answers to America’s deep-rooted problems.

But we do have one solution.

Pass sensible gun laws…NOW…in Washington, D.C.…in Harrisburg…in State Capitols across the U.S.A.

When Congressman John Lewis sat down on the carpeted floor of the United States House of Representatives on June 23, 2016 and disrupted business as usual in the U.S. Congress, he forever changed the political paradigm about guns in America.

Friend and foe got the message: it was time for action – not words — to stop gun violence.

Just as importantly, he showed us how to fight without guns.

Delaware County United for Sensible Gun Policy plans to follow the example of Congressman John Lewis in the coming months ahead as we plan creative, nonviolent actions to end gun violence in our community and across our nation.

We hope you can join us.

Delco United supporters and allies from CeaseFirePA gather at Lighting the Way Speak Out: the Path Forward on Gun Violence on July 14, 12016 sponsored by the Congressional Black Caucus.

Posted by Robin Lasersohn on Jun 19, 2016 in News | 1 comment

A Call to Action to Ban Assault Weapons ~ June 18, 2016

To U.S. Congressman Patrick Meehan,

In the wake of the Orlando massacre, we respectfully call on you to take bold leadership on the issue of sensible gun policy by immediately co-sponsoring House Resolution 4269, which would establish a federal ban on military-style assault weapons and high capacity ammunition magazines.

There is no legitimate purpose for these weapons in civilian life. There is no legitimate reason why the federal government should continue to make it easy for people with a variety of deranged motivations to walk into a gun store and legally purchase weapons and ammunition that can slaughter—in a matter of minutes— dozens and dozens of our fellow citizens.

How many more have to die before Congress acts?

We are weary of mass shootings, alarmed at the refusal of our elected officials to take any meaningful action, and unwilling to sit idly by while public servants wring their hands and say once again that the issue is too complicated and that nothing will work.

We lovingly urge you to be a brave leader on behalf of your constituents. We ask in the spirit of cooperation and respect that you place the safety and security of our communities above any political considerations, including backlash from the extremists of the National Rifle Association, who consistently act in the interests of gun manufacturers and gun profiteers rather than in the interests of responsible gun owners and ordinary Americans.

It is time.

Thank you,

The 1,038 members of Delaware County United for Sensible Gun Policy and our supporters

Posted by Robin Lasersohn on Jun 19, 2016 in Uncategorized | 0 comments

100 Strong March to Congressman Meehan’s Office

Over 100 supporters of Delaware County United for Sensible Gun Policy participated in a spirited march from the Springfield Friends Meeting House to the office of U.S. Congressman Patrick Meehan (R-PA7) on Saturday, June 18th, in response to the June 11 mass shooting at an Orlando nightclub that killed 49 people. The fired-up gun sense advocates delivered a Call to Action to Congressman Meehan calling on him to support a ban on military-style assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines.

Delco United is lobbying Congressman Meehan to co-sponsor H.R. 4269, legislation that would ban assault weapons and large-volume magazines. Read a summary of the bill here.

Hundreds of motorists honked their horns in support as the marchers, carrying signs and banners calling for an assault weapons ban, proceeded down Sproul Road (Rt. 320) to the Congressman’s Springfield headquarters. Robin Lasersohn, Co-Chair of Delco United, read the group’s Call to Action to Meehan, and then placed a poster-sized placard with the written Call to Action at the front door of the locked building that houses Congressman Meehan’s office. Delco United also e-mailed the Call to Action to the congressman on Friday. Terry Rumsey, Delco United Co-Chair, had spoken with Congressman Meehan earlier in the week, asking him to co-sponsor H.R. 4269.

The event was covered by the Delaware County Daily Times, KYW News Radio, and three Philadelphia television stations (ABC, NBC, and CBS affiliates).

Read sample news coverage here. https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2016/06/18/protesters-march-for-gun-control-in-delaware-county

http://www.delcotimes.com/article/DC/20160618/NEWS/160619662

The Board of Directors of Delaware County United for Sensible Gun Policy would like to thank the more than 500 supporters from Delaware County who took action this past week after the Orlando tragedy by calling or e-mailing Congressman Meehan and Senator Toomey, attending Wednesday’s vigil and die-in, rallying and marching at yesterday’s Call to Action, or doing a combination of all those empowered acts of citizenship.

Delco United asked a lot from you this week.

You gave more than we asked.

Congratulations, you are a part of reinvigorated gun sense movement that will not relent until we have radically reduced gun violence in the United States of America.