Gun violence has been a hot-button topic at the Democratic National Convention. However, it took center stage Wednesday night (July 27). Several survivors of gun violence took to the podium to advocate for stricter firearm laws, and their speeches were moving.
Sandy Hook victim Erica Smegielski made a heartfelt plea to end gun violence, which you can see in the video below. But she wasn’t the only one who discussed the topic. A mother of one of the Orlando victims, Christine Leinonen, left DNC-goers breathless with her harrowing speech. “Where was that common sense the day he died?” Leinonen asked the crowd, who was clearly moved by her speech.
American Horror Story star Angela Bassett introduced survivors of the 2015 church shooting in Charleston, too. Their words? Equally as emotional. Watch Bassett’s introduction below.
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Check out some of the tweets about gun violence that surfaced on Twitter this evening.
Between Gabby and Joe and the two ladies from the Charleston church, I'm dangerously close to getting teary. 🙁
— Kat Walker (@motionandtime) July 28, 2016
Joe Biden has experienced loss himself so when he talks about victims of cancer or gun violence it comes from the heart. It's real…
— Stoned Philly Fan (@StonedPhillyFan) July 28, 2016
Addressing gun violence is a great way to keep America safe#dumptheNRA! @HillaryClinton @HillaryforFL #DemsInPhilly
— MichaelD (@MichaelDhall) July 28, 2016
The DNC is super heavy tonight, but it’s necessary, folks.
Watch people of all races make a powerful statement about their interactions with the police in the video below.