Thursday, June 16, 2016 - 11:09 AM

CHS Pics | Faith leaders, Seattle officials again lead march across Capitol Hill against gun violence

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As hour after after hour fell by in a dramatic filibuster over gun control on the Senate floor, another ceremony was repeated Wednesday night across our own Capitol Hill. For the second time in three years, marchers gathered at St. Mark’s and passed down Broadway on their way to St. James to mark another American shooting massacre.

“Let us pray for our sisters and brothers in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities here and across the nation,” said Mayor Ed Murray, leading a prayer after the marchers arrived at St. James Cathedral on First Hill. “May they know our love, our support, our advocacy, in the light of this horrific act fueled by hatred and cruelty. In the face of hatred, may there be love. In the face of violence, may there be peace. In the face of prejudice, may there be pride.”

The event echoed the 2013 march that followed the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in which 20 children between 6 and 7 years old and six adults were murdered. The weapon used in the 2013 massacre was a knock-off of the AR-15 and from the same family of weaponry used in Sunday’s attack at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando.

Earlier this week, Cal Anderson was filled with mourners to mark the latest shooting tragedy and rally to support LGBTQ communities and Pride in the wake of the violence.

While Wednesday’s march felt sadly familiar, the actions in Washington D.C. provided some new hope that the county could finally act more decisively to limit access to deadly weapons like the AR-15. Senator Christopher Murphy of Connecticut was joined by 44 Democratic Senators for his 15-hour hold on the floor. “As we mourn for victims and families impacted by the horrific violence and act of terror against LGBT and Latino Americans in Orlando this Sunday, we are once again reminded that nowhere is safe from the horrific epidemic of gun violence in this country,” Washington’s Patty Murray said in her floor speech. The state’s other Senate voice Maria Cantwell pointed to voter approval of “gun show loophole” Initiative 594, which requires criminal background checks to purchase firearms at gun shows and online, as an example for the nation.

Meanwhile in Cal Anderson, a new memorial for those who died in Orlando appeared in chalk markings near the park’s pool and fountain. More events and benefits are being planned including a fundraiser Wednesday at Neumos organized by Jetspace Magazine.

Saturday night, another march is planned:

March for Hope
Saturday, June 18th — 11 PM — Cal Anderson
Join us, friends and family of all people who feel oppressed, this Saturday night, June 18th at 11pm at Cal Anderson Park on Capitol Hill as we take to the streets exactly one week from this tragic event.



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