Oregon Students #MarchForOurLives, GOP Gov Candidates Ignore Them
While students demanding action on gun safety were speaking out, the top three Republicans running for governor were on Twitter — ignoring them.
Thousands of students took to Oregon streets this weekend calling on their elected leaders to stand up to the gun lobby and act now to reduce gun violence. Meanwhile, the leading Republicans hoping to lead Oregon continue to ignore their voices.
Knute Buehler
On the day of the march, Rep. Knute Buehler said he opposed IP-43, which would ban assault weapons in Oregon. Today supporters, including students, are turning in signatures to put the initiative on the ballot.
Greg Wooldridge
Greg Wooldridge tweeted an article from OPB about IP43, but ignored the marchers entirely. He opposes an assault weapons ban.
Sam Carpenter
On the day of the march Sam Carpenter retweeted a Twitter user dismissing the student demonstration. Carpenter also opposes an assault weapons ban.
Governor Kate Brown tweeted support for the marchers over the weekend.
The governor tweeted: “I am blown away and inspired by students here in Oregon, and across the country, who are making their voices heard. Gun violence must end. I stand with you. #MarchForOurLives”
Gov. Brown met with students pushing for gun safety when she signed HB 4145, closing the boyfriend loophole, and will continue to push for common sense gun safety reforms.
“The Oregon GOP’s leading gubernatorial candidates are shockingly out of touch on preventing gun violence,” said Jeanne Atkins, Chair of the Democratic Party of Oregon. “While thousands of Oregonians across the state hit the streets on Saturday to demand action on the national gun crisis, Buehler, Wooldridge and Carpenter sat on the sidelines and refused to listen. Their approach to this growing movement for common sense gun policies is tone deaf and offensive.”
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