Students hold lie-in to protest gun show loophole
kyle Swanson / SPPSThough there had previously been controversy regarding a potential political agenda and rumors of a counter-protest, speakers at the event clarified their intentions, and the event was met with just minimal opposition.
A large banner reading, "God Bless Virginia Tech," and volunteers passing out maroon and orange ribbons greeted students approaching the shaded area between Davidson Hall and the agriculture quad.
Alison St. Onge, a senior environmental science major, addressed the media and participants first, stating that those lying down were doing so to remember and honor those who were killed last April.
"It hurts, and I'm pretty sure it's never going to stop hurting," St. Onge said. "Though the bad things in our life stick out more, always remember the good. I stand here today to honor those lost."
After St. Onge spoke, her mother, Candace, stood behind the podium and brought the issue of the since dubbed "gun show loophole" to the audience's attention. Candace St. Onge also defended her daughter's decision to continue with the lie-in, despite opposition claiming it was disrespectful.
"This is a college campus where ideas are shared," Candace St. Onge said. "It can provide comfort to some families to know that some good has come from their passing. My heart still breaks for Nicole (White)'s family, and my daughter."
While the lie-in passed without incident for the most part, local criminal lawyer Joseph Graham Painter was at the scene to protest their appearance, supporting what he claimed to be a "political" stunt and not a "remembrance" for the victims. Painter stood behind the speakers wearing a sign that read "Brady Go Home, Show Some Respect." Painter, a '69 alumnus of Tech, said the Brady Campaign against gun violence was a sham, that administrators within the organization are scamming potential donors for personal benefit. The lie-in, Painter said, was a typical event aimed to confuse participants in their safety-oriented organizations real goal.
"This is a political event not a commemoration of the victims. This is a pure Brady type of demonstration. The more people know about Brady, the more you know they are just a political organization, a political lobby to bring more money in for themselves." Painter said. "I get tickled when people say "gun show loophole." For there to be a loop hole there has to be a law, technically speaking. (Demonstrating against the protest of "easy guns") is a chance to stand up and say, 'Brady, you're liars.'"
Painter claimed the statistics the Brady campaign are falsely cited, mainly the statistic that 32 people die everyday from firearms.
Lori Haas and Anne Goddard also gave speeches before the lie-in took place, pleading with those in attendance to begin to make a difference before it is too late. Lori is the mother of Emily Haas, and Anne is the mother of Colin Goddard, two students injured in Norris Hall.
Haas noted that the nation needs to work to close the "gun show loophole," sparking considerable emotion from her listeners.
"As members of this community, we have witnessed pain and lives destroyed," Haas said. "I look at these bright young faces and know that there should be more."
Haas added that the lie-in at Tech should carry added weight, since it is student-run in honor of their classmates. Haas concluded her remarks by again begging for support in the fight for stronger background checks when purchasing guns.
Following the speeches by Haas and Goddard, two victims' family members spoke, declaring the gun control debate one about public safety, not politics.
Omar Samaha, brother of Reema Samaha, noted that a tragedy such as the one at Tech could, and likely would happen again.
Peter Read, whose daughter Mary was lost last year, expressed that he was a former United States Air Force member, and had no fear of firearms, but rather what can happen in America if "elementary common sense precautions aren't taken."
Once the speeches concluded, Read introduced the lie-in and invited those on hand to take part. After approximately three minutes of silence, a tearful St. Onge thanked those who had participated, as well as those who had come to watch.
Following the lie-in, members of the community and lie-in participants voiced their opinions on what they had just witnessed. Opposing views were few and far between, as most were supportive of St. Onge's cause.
"It's an important cause," said Alex Evans, pastor for Blacksburg Presbyterian Church. "Our country is leading the world in gun violence. This isn't about guns; it's about easy access. This is an appeal to bring about some sensible laws."
Margaret Breslau, a small business owner in Blacksburg, was also supportive of the lie-in.
"I think we have to have representation on campus," Breslau said. "It's important that students and community get involved."
After the event, Read offered his response to the opposition that St. Onge faced in the planning process.
"They're welcome to their own opinions, but we see it differently," Read said. "We see this as a profoundly respectful event that was done out of love."
St. Onge said after the event that she had started working on the lie-in several months ago, after receiving an e-mail from Nicole White's mother. Though she plans to continue to honor White and her family, her plans for the rest of the semester are simple.
"I'm going to try and get through finals," St. Onge said.
Reporter T. Rees Shapiro contributed to this report.
