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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

D.C. gun ban march draws thousands

People listen to a speaker during a rally against gun violence in Washington, D.C., on Saturday. (Associated Press)
Associated Press

WASHINGTON – Thousands of people, many holding signs with names of gun violence victims and messages such as “Ban Assault Weapons Now,” joined a rally for gun control on Saturday, marching from the Capitol to the Washington Monument.

Leading the crowd were marchers with “We Are Sandy Hook” signs, paying tribute to victims of the December school shooting in Newtown, Conn. The crowd stretched for at least two blocks along Constitution Avenue.

Participants held signs reading “Gun Control Now,” “Stop NRA” and “What Would Jesus Pack?” among other messages. Other signs were simple and white, with the names of victims of gun violence.

About 100 residents from Newtown, where a gunman killed 20 first-graders and six teachers, traveled to Washington together, organizers said.

Participant Kara Baekey, from nearby Norwalk, Conn., said that when she heard about the Newtown shooting, she immediately thought of her two young children.

“I wanted to make sure this never happens at my kids’ school or any other school,” Baekey said. “It just can’t happen again.”

Once the crowd arrived at the monument, speakers called for a ban on military-style assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition and for universal background checks on gun sales.