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WASHINGTON (Islam Online)-President Clinton and Hillary Clinton joined thousands of American women gathered in Washington DC to mark Mother's Day by marching against gun violence. The demonstration, named the Million Mom March, is intended to press for tougher restrictions on guns. The president and his wife, Hillary Rodham Clinton, addressed mothers at a reception organized at the White House.
"We've come here in the name of the children we love, the children we have lost, the children we want to save," said first lady, Hillary Clinton. Banners, displaying handguns crossed through with red lines, and messages proclaiming "Freedom from gun trauma, spell out the message." It is estimated twelve children die of gunshot wounds every day in the United States. "America is still the most violent civilized country in the world, with the highest murder rate," said President Clinton. One of the March organizers said that gun control was among the most pressing election issues. "We strongly believe that women for the first time are going to take into consideration where a candidate stands on gun policies," said Andrew McGuire. The president wants legislation that would require child safety locks with all new handguns, close a loophole that permits firearms purchases at gun shows without background checks and ban the import of large-capacity ammunition clips. The "Million Mom March" organizers want more: uniform handgun control laws that would include licensing and registration, longer waiting periods, and a one-gun-a-month purchase limit. "Mothers are smarter than legislators. We know that tougher gun laws will get guns out of the hands of children," said Barrie Kessler, a working mother of three. Organizers say events are also planned in more than 60 other cities, potentially drawing up to one million marchers. Meanwhile the National Rifle Association, which represents the gun rights lobby, has denounced the Million Mom March for playing politics with the issue. A Dallas-based group of women, who support gun rights, is organizing a counter-demonstration on Sunday, along with the NRA. And NRA spokesperson, Bill Powers said his association had pledged $1 million this week to start gun safety educational programs in elementary schools. |
"It's not like we don't know prevention works; we know it does work," said President Clinton, in a speech punctuated by loud applause. 
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