• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy

Towleroad Gay News

Gay Blog Towleroad: More than gay news | gay men

  • Travel
  • Sports
  • Law/Justice
  • Celebrities
  • Republicans
  • Madonna
  • Books
  • Men
  • Trans Rights
  • Royals
  • Monkeypox
  • Marjorie Taylor Greene: Antifa are ‘fascists’ because ‘they defend the drag queens targeting our children’
  • Guaranteed Stimulus Checks To Transgender: Checks Starting to Go Out This Month
  • Soccer-Three arrested for alleged homophobic chanting at Liverpool-Chelsea game

Protestors Stage 49 Hour Sit-In Outside Marco Rubio’s Orlando Office, Demand Gun Control – PHOTOS, VIDEOS

Sean Mandell July 11, 2016 Leave a Comment

sitinforthe49

Protesters are currently staging a 49-hour sit-in outside Senator Marco Rubio’s office in Orlando, Florida, one hour for each of the victims of the Orlando massacre.

The shooting at gay nightclub Pulse took place one month ago Tuesday and was the deadliest in American history.

The assembled protesters are demanding that Rubio back gun control legislation, a national LGBT non-discrimination law, and immigration reform. Activists are using the hashtag #SitInForThe49 to draw attention to their cause.

Via press release:

Sen. Rubio claims he is “deeply impacted” by last month’s Pulse Nightclub Shooting, yet he continues to terrorize Orlando’s LGBTQ+ communities of color by adhering to a platform of so-called “conservative values” which discriminates, dehumanizes, and denies access to the American dream.

Opportunist political leaders have offered meaningless platitudes and political pandering in response to unspeakable violence. At best, politicians propose “No Fly No Buy” legislation that employs racial profiling and fails to address the most urgent needs of marginalized communities. We demand a comprehensive platform to address gun safety, equality, and community violence:

• Gun Safety: Gun manufacturers and the gun lobby generate profits from tragedies. Lawmakers must reject financial contributions from the NRA, implement universal background checks to close jarring loopholes, enact legislation making it a crime to knowingly import, sell, manufacture, transfer, or possess a semiautomatic assault weapon or large capacity ammunition-feeding device, and allow federal research on gun violence.

• Equality: LGBTQ+ people of color are more likely to be the victims of hate crimes than any other minority group. The Pulse Nightclub massacre impacted those who suffer from discrimination, poverty wages, and an unjust immigration system. We demand not only an end to hateful rhetoric and policies that perpetuate racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, Islamophobia, and xenophobia; but the passage of a fully-inclusive national LGBTQ+ nondiscrimination law and comprehensive immigration reform.

• Community Violence: It is time to end the senseless and systematic murder of unarmed black and brown people at the hands of law enforcement. Lawmakers must end police brutality, develop a transparent database of law enforcement activity, repeal mandatory-minimums for nonviolent drug offenses, and institute after-school programs, living-wage jobs, and accessible higher education to cultivate brighter futures in our communities.

The Orlando Sentinel reports: 

“This is just a group of concerned citizens in Orlando who came together to say that a month has gone by now, and we’ve seen nothing but more violence and discrimination,” said Ida Eskamani, a spokeswoman for the gay and transgender civil rights group Equality Florida. […]

The group presented staff of the Republican senator and former presidential candidate with a list of demands, including that lawmakers reject financial contributions from the National Rifle Association; implement universal background checks; enact legislation making it a crime to knowingly import, sell, manufacture, transfer, or possess a semiautomatic assault weapon or large capacity ammunition-feeding device; and allow federal research on gun violence.

Senator Rubio brushed off the protests in a statement, as Florida Politics notes:

A Rubio spokesperson in Washington issued a statement that read:

“Senator Rubio respects the views of others on these difficult issues, and he welcomes the continued input he is receiving from people across the political spectrum. Senator Rubio and our office continue working around the clock on federal casework to assist victims’ families, survivors and their families, and we stand ready to continue assisting, including lending staff to the victim assistance center as we did for the last few weeks. Over the past month, Senator Rubio has supported common sense compromises to make it easier to track individuals who have been on the terror watch list and later try to buy firearms, all while improving due process protections for law abiding Americans.”

Protesters sang “Somos Orlando” (We Are Orlando) outside Rubio’s office and also created a memorial for those who lost their lives on June 12.

#SitInForThe49 sings " #SomosOrlando, esta noche tenemos que ganar" near @marcorubio office @OrlandoWeekly pic.twitter.com/8W7wztr5rZ

— Monivette Cordeiro (@monivettec) July 11, 2016

#SitInForThe49 protesters create memorial for #pulse victims w/ red roses inside @marcorubio #orlando office pic.twitter.com/enFrbvG3AG

— Monivette Cordeiro (@monivettec) July 11, 2016

Watch more video and see pics from the protest taking place right now, below.

Around 75 ppl from @OrgNow and other groups holding #SitInForThe49 in @marcorubio Orlando office @OrlandoWeekly pic.twitter.com/PdCGJrQjQY

— Monivette Cordeiro (@monivettec) July 11, 2016

#SitInForThe49 @marcorubio time to end your legacy of violence. pic.twitter.com/U3rnytqv0E

— Ida V. Eskamani (@ida_v_e) July 11, 2016

LIVE on #Periscope: #sitinfothe49 https://t.co/UpCmvsVwos

— Mitch Emerson (@MitchEmerson) July 11, 2016

UPDATE #1: 

Orlando Residents holding sit-in to demand action on gun violence at Sen Rubio's office right now #SitInForThe49 pic.twitter.com/JY6OslGIah

— Aaron Black (@ABlackPolitical) July 11, 2016

Brave #SitInForThe49 demonstration should inspire us to redouble efforts to pass meaningful legislation to prevent future tragedies. #FLSen

— Patrick Murphy (@PatrickMurphyFL) July 11, 2016

Roses to commemorate Orlando victims at #SitInForThe49 in office of @SenRubioPress. Beautiful. #DisarmHate pic.twitter.com/I8IojsCqHg

— Stop Handgun Violence (@stophandguns) July 11, 2016

#sitinforthe49 is now trending in #DC https://t.co/Xu9W3gqttW

— Trendsmap DC (@TrendsDC) July 11, 2016

Still we rise. #sitinforthe49 pic.twitter.com/khyBJJw8Sn

— Ida V. Eskamani (@ida_v_e) July 11, 2016

#sitinforthe49 @marcorubio time to act on gun violence & discrimination. pic.twitter.com/FTQQD998Pw

— Ida V. Eskamani (@ida_v_e) July 11, 2016

Our country deserves commonsense gun laws. End gun violence & discrimination now. #BlackLivesMatter #SitInForThe49 pic.twitter.com/exiwVeydN6

— UNITE HERE (@unitehere) July 11, 2016

#SitInForThe49 happening now. We demand to #SomosOrlando #EndGunViolence #DisarmHate #sayfie #FlaPol pic.twitter.com/W0MDzq9ogV

— Susannah Randolph (@SusannahFL) July 11, 2016

We must stand up to the NRA. #SitInForThe49 pic.twitter.com/rB3TIDKKck

— RandolphForCongress (@RandolphforFL) July 11, 2016

[Top photo via twitter]

Topics: Education, History More Posts About: Florida, Gun Control, LGBT Rights, Marco Rubio, Orlando, Orlando Shooting, Pulse

Related Posts
  • Gay Bar Shooter Opens Fire In “Club Q”; Kills 5, Injures 18; Patrons Stop Gunman, Limit Casualties, According to Club Owner; BREAKING 8am Press Conf.
  • Canada bans new handgun sales in latest gun control action
  • Florida GOP lawmakers request hurricane relief after state GOP votes to strike down FEMA funding
  • Guaranteed Stimulus Checks To Transgender: Checks Starting to Go Out This Month

    Guaranteed Stimulus Checks To Transgender: Checks Starting to Go Out This Month

    Published by ValueWalk Guaranteed income plans have gained prominence since the COVID-19 pandemic. Several states and local governments have come up with similar programs targeting specific groups over the past couple of years. Last year, the …Read More »
  • Soccer-Three arrested for alleged homophobic chanting at Liverpool-Chelsea game

    Soccer-Three arrested for alleged homophobic chanting at Liverpool-Chelsea game

    Published by Reuters UK (Reuters) – Three men were arrested following reports of alleged homophobic chanting at the goalless draw between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield, Merseyside Police said on Tuesday. The men, aged 23, 37 …Read More »
  • U.S. Senate panel probes competition after Taylor Swift ticketing fiasco

    U.S. Senate panel probes competition after Taylor Swift ticketing fiasco

    Published by Reuters By Diane Bartz and Moira Warburton WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee opened a hearing Tuesday on ticket industry competition issues after lawmakers raised concern about the disrupted sale of Taylor Swift …Read More »
  • Hundreds of UK cops faces been fired as part of clean-up for misconduct

    Hundreds of UK cops faces been fired as part of clean-up for misconduct

    Published by Wayarc Daily MET Police Chief Sir Mark Rowley last night admitted hundreds of officers from his own force should be “thrown out” for criminal and nefarious conduct. Sir Mark spoke of his “disgrace” after …Read More »
Previous Post: « UFC Fighter Apologizes for Referring to Heavyweight Champ as a ‘Fag’ – VIDEO
Next Post: Religious People Might Think Online Sexual Habits are Harmful, But They’re Also the Worst Offenders »

Primary Sidebar

Adjacent News

  • DeSantis targets unions, school boards with ‘Teachers Bill of Rights’

    DeSantis targets unions, school boards with ‘Teachers Bill of Rights’

  • George Santos Proposed To Then-Teenage Boyfriend While Still Married To Wife, Shocking Report Claims

    George Santos Proposed To Then-Teenage Boyfriend While Still Married To Wife, Shocking Report Claims

  • The M&M’s controversy continues as company retires its “spokescandies”

    The M&M’s controversy continues as company retires its “spokescandies”

Good Trash: Going to Read It Somewhere, Y'know

  • Stormy Daniels Declares It’s ‘Exhausting’ To Always Be Asked About Alleged Affair With Donald Trump: ‘I Wish He Would Go Away’

    Stormy Daniels Declares It’s ‘Exhausting’ To Always Be Asked About Alleged Affair With Donald Trump: ‘I Wish He Would Go Away’

  • Sam Smith obsessed with McDonald’s

    Sam Smith obsessed with McDonald’s

  • Prince Andrew Makes Plans To Overturn Virginia Giuffre Settlement As Ghislaine Maxwell Claims Infamous Photo Is Photoshopped

    Prince Andrew Makes Plans To Overturn Virginia Giuffre Settlement As Ghislaine Maxwell Claims Infamous Photo Is Photoshopped

RSS Partner Links

  • Prince William's Joke Directed at His Wife Causes Lots of Laughter During Their Royal Visit
  • Gisele Bündchen Is Having The Time Of Her Life Horseback Riding With Her Jiu-Jitsu Instructor
  • Shakira’s Ex, Gerard Piqué, Has Gone Instagram Official With His Girlfriend Clara Chia Marti
  • Adam Schiff Tosses His Hat Into 2024 California Senate Race
  • 'Succession' Season 4 Teaser Trailer Teases the Fallout From Logan Roy's Major Blindside - Watch Now!
  • Chace Crawford's Pit Stop + Newsmax Deplatformed By DirecTV + Schiff For Senate + Adam DiMarco: WANNA FUCK? + MORE! — 6-PACK
  • 2022's Most Streamed TV Shows Revealed (& Number 1 Is Not 'Wednesday,' 'Bridgerton,' 'Grey's Anatomy' Or 'Friends')

Most Recent

  • Marjorie Taylor Greene: Antifa are ‘fascists’ because ‘they defend the drag queens targeting our children’

    Marjorie Taylor Greene: Antifa are ‘fascists’ because ‘they defend the drag queens targeting our children’

  • Guaranteed Stimulus Checks To Transgender: Checks Starting to Go Out This Month

    Guaranteed Stimulus Checks To Transgender: Checks Starting to Go Out This Month

  • Soccer-Three arrested for alleged homophobic chanting at Liverpool-Chelsea game

    Soccer-Three arrested for alleged homophobic chanting at Liverpool-Chelsea game

  • U.S. Senate panel probes competition after Taylor Swift ticketing fiasco

    U.S. Senate panel probes competition after Taylor Swift ticketing fiasco

  • Hundreds of UK cops faces been fired as part of clean-up for misconduct

    Hundreds of UK cops faces been fired as part of clean-up for misconduct

  • George Santos is living the GOP’s values | Opinion

    George Santos is living the GOP’s values | Opinion

  • Madonna Feels ‘Like The Luckiest Girl In The World’ As Fans ‘Shame’ Singer’s Pricey Tour Tickets: ‘Seriously?!’

    Madonna Feels ‘Like The Luckiest Girl In The World’ As Fans ‘Shame’ Singer’s Pricey Tour Tickets: ‘Seriously?!’

  • Tony Dungy Attends March For Life Rally – And Fans Call For His Firing

    Tony Dungy Attends March For Life Rally – And Fans Call For His Firing

Most Commented

Social

Twitter @tlrd | Facebook | Instagram @tlrd

Footer

Copyright © 2023 · Log in

×