John Lewis leads sit-in on House floor over guns

John Lewis revived Wednesday one of the most evocative forms of protest from the civil rights movement -- the sit-in -- to demand House Republicans move on gun control.

In a move rich with historic symbolism, the civil rights icon and Democratic congressman from Georgia led a dramatic protest inside the House of Representatives.

He and fellow Democrats sat down at the front of the chamber in an unusual demonstration of civil disobedience challenging Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan.

"Sometimes you have to do something out of the ordinary. Sometimes you have to make a way out of no way. We have been too quiet for too long," Lewis said.

"There comes a time when you have to say something, when you have to make a little noise, when you have to move your feet. This is the time. Now is the time to get in the way. The time to act is now. We will be silent no more."

Lewis was sent encouragement by one former president and the current one.

"Thank you John Lewis for leading on gun violence where we need it most," President Barack Obama Tweeted

Former President Bill Clinton tweeted his encouragement, writing "This is leadership" and linking to Lewis' tweet about the sit-in.

In an interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer, Lewis said, "Too many of our children, too many of our sisters and brothers, our mothers and fathers, our friends, our cousins are dying by guns and we have to do something about it."

He said lawmakers would remain on the floor.
"We don't have any intention of leaving anytime soon," Lewis said.

The sit-in follows the shooting at an Orlando gay nightclub earlier this month that killed 49 people the deadliest incident of gun violence in American history.

The shooting is renewing the debate over gun control legislation, which seems poised to go nowhere in Congress.

For more details log on to www.CNN.com