The same day Florida High School students made news for their lobbying on gun control, protestors took to the streets of Syracuse also demanding action. Demonstrators at Congress Member John Katko’s office had a large check on which the payment amount read ‘Thoughts and Prayers’.
William Happy with the group Swing Left compares campaign donations with the ‘value of good wishes’ as a response to gun violence, such as the Florida School Shooting of last week.
“The idea behind it is that if a representative funded by the NRA feels that his thoughts and prayers are enough to respond to something as such a great travesty as happened last week, then we think that contributions can work in that way as well.”
About 40 people gathered outside Katko’s office in downtown Syracuse. They did not have any specific gun control measure or bill they were supporting, rather just demanding an end to in-action on the topic after so many mass shootings. Many felt other measures of engaging with their representative weren’t working.
“A lot of people wanted to come out and protest because they thought calling and writing really wasn’t doing the trick. They were having short conversations with the staff; letters were going unanswered, so they wanted t march to his doorstep.”
Katko recently said he’s interested in looking at the role of mental health in mass shootings. He has also indicated support for preventing people with mental health issues from buying guns.
It’s not the first time protestors have gathered on the street in front of his office. In fact, Happy says this was the second of three days of protests. Part of the purpose is to influence Katko and let him know what issues are of concern to local residents. But Happy says the demonstrations can also help inform the public.
“I think a big part of it is showing the public what they might not be seeing or reading in the news. Specifically today, not everyone in Syracuse would know that John Katko has taken tens of thousands of dollars from the NRA. So if more people realize that because of the protest, I think we would feel accomplished in that way.”
Election records show Katko received over $11,000 from the NRA for multiple elections. The gun rights group also spent more on independent ads promoting Katko’s campaigns.
The group, Swing Left, that worked with local groups on the demonstrations, identifies congressional districts that could be won by democrats to change the majority in the House. At yesterday’s protest, members of Katko’s staff met with protestors in what was described as a polite exchange, when the mock ‘thoughts and prayers’ check was handed off. They did not get a chance to meet face-to-face with the congress member.
