{mosads}The White House began pushing the hashtag shortly after President Obama and Vice President Biden announced new measures addressing gun violence, simultaneously launching a website with the title “Now is the time to do something about gun violence” where Americans can download the president’s plan.
In his remarks on Wednesday, Obama urged the public to get involved in urging Congress to act on gun control, and the Twitter campaign is part of that effort to increase pressure on Congress through citizen support.
“This will not happen unless the American people demand it,” Obama said. “The only way we will be able to change is if their audience, their constituents, their membership says this time must be different — that this time, we must do something to protect our communities and our kids.”
Democrats in Congress, led by House House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who held a press conference on gun violence shortly after Obama’s, joined in the concerted effort by using the hashtag.
Later, the president sent a personal tweet along with a photo of one of the letters he read during his presentation.
Updated on Jan. 17 at 8:11 a.m.