Paris rallies call for strict U.S. gun control laws
4:09 p.m.: The calls for greater gun control in the U.S. came from across the Atlantic Ocean on Saturday as demonstrators near the Eiffel Tower demanded that U.S. politicians “protect children, not guns!” The protesters in Paris included American and French demonstrators, families and students.
“It’s important for Americans even overseas to make sure that Washington knows that we’re not pleased with the gun control reform and we want more,” said Caitlin Waters, co-organizer of the “March For Our Lives” gathering in Paris.
A letter of support to those affected by the Parkland tragedy was read aloud. Catherine Wilson, who lost her sister Mhairi in the 1996 Dunblane Primary School shootings, was among the speakers.
“I don’t understand why the freedom to own a gun is seen as more important than seeing your grandchildren grow up, or feeling safe when you go and watch a film in the cinema,” Wilson said.
Sixteen schoolchildren and their teacher were killed in the Dunblane shooting, and the tragedy led the U.K. to enforce strict firearms laws.
