Democrats fundraise off sit-in

by TheHill.com - 06/23/16 12:49 AM ET

House Democrats are soliciting donations as they stage a highly publicized sit-in to protest inaction on gun control measures.

{mosads}The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) sent a brief email shortly after the sit-in crossed into Thursday, signed by Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (Calif.).

“This is an historically important moment! John Lewis has been leading a sit-in on the House floor for 11 long hours now. We’re fighting to prevent gun violence,” the email reads. “The Republicans refuse to lift a finger. It’s shameful. I need your help to defeat them once and for all.”

The email asks for 6,000 donations and gives several options to donate amounts between $1 and $250.

It was at least the sixth such email from the DCCC as the sit-in gained steam. Several were signed by Lewis, a civil rights leader and the Georgia representative who has led many demonstrations on the House floor.

Democrats are pressuring Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) to take up votes to bar those on terrorist watchlists from buying guns and to expand background checks in the wake of the mass shooting in Orlando, last weekend. They’re hoping to force a vote before the Fourth of July recess.

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