Protest planned to honor Virginia Tech victims
Emily Daly
Issue date: 4/14/08 Section: News
A lie-in protest against lax gun control laws is planned for Wed., April 16, marking the one year anniversary of the Virginia Tech shootings in 2007. The protest will take place at 12 p.m. in front of the fountain by the cafeteria.
The protest at CSM will be one of many nationwide. The "lie-ins" are sponsored by the organization ProtestEasyGuns.com, started by Dr. Abigail Spangler of Virginia, in response to the April 16, 2007 Virginia Tech shootings, according to their website.
"We are pleased we will have had over 100 lie-ins since the Virginia Tech massacre," Spangler told the San Matean from Alexandria, Virginia.
At each of the lie-ins, about 32 people, each representing a fatality of the Virginia Tech shootings, lie down quietly for three minutes- the average amount of time it takes to purchase a gun in the U.S., said Spangler.
CSM student Chris Corgas, 19, is organizing the San Mateo protest.
The Cross Country Club is hosting the protest because Corgas is a member, he said, and he was unable to contact the Catholic Club about hosting the event. Corgas said that he is organizing the event because, as a Republican, he believes the right to life does not stop with abortion, but includes the death penalty and gun control as well.
The goal of the lie-in is to raise awareness about the dangers of lax gun control laws, said Spangler. One of the goals of the protest specific to California is to get Bill AB 2062 passed, said Corgas, which would require permits to buy ammunition for handguns.
Corgas also plans to use the protest to bring attention to the fact that permits or licenses are not required to buy rifles or shotguns in California, and that those guns do not require registration in California.
Jesus Moya, Adjunct Associate Professor of ethnic studies, will be speaking at the event. Corgas will be giving a speech as well.
Corgas said he does not expect any opposition to the lie-in, because it is not protesting gun ownership. "I would be open to a counter-protest," said Corgas.
"As long as they go through the proper channels. Any infringement of the First Amendment should not and will not be tolerated," he said.
The protest at CSM will be one of many nationwide. The "lie-ins" are sponsored by the organization ProtestEasyGuns.com, started by Dr. Abigail Spangler of Virginia, in response to the April 16, 2007 Virginia Tech shootings, according to their website.
"We are pleased we will have had over 100 lie-ins since the Virginia Tech massacre," Spangler told the San Matean from Alexandria, Virginia.
At each of the lie-ins, about 32 people, each representing a fatality of the Virginia Tech shootings, lie down quietly for three minutes- the average amount of time it takes to purchase a gun in the U.S., said Spangler.
CSM student Chris Corgas, 19, is organizing the San Mateo protest.
The Cross Country Club is hosting the protest because Corgas is a member, he said, and he was unable to contact the Catholic Club about hosting the event. Corgas said that he is organizing the event because, as a Republican, he believes the right to life does not stop with abortion, but includes the death penalty and gun control as well.
The goal of the lie-in is to raise awareness about the dangers of lax gun control laws, said Spangler. One of the goals of the protest specific to California is to get Bill AB 2062 passed, said Corgas, which would require permits to buy ammunition for handguns.
Corgas also plans to use the protest to bring attention to the fact that permits or licenses are not required to buy rifles or shotguns in California, and that those guns do not require registration in California.
Jesus Moya, Adjunct Associate Professor of ethnic studies, will be speaking at the event. Corgas will be giving a speech as well.
Corgas said he does not expect any opposition to the lie-in, because it is not protesting gun ownership. "I would be open to a counter-protest," said Corgas.
"As long as they go through the proper channels. Any infringement of the First Amendment should not and will not be tolerated," he said.
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