With serious incidents of gun violence affecting Americans of all age groups continuing around the United States, a protest presence against the pro-gun group known as the National Rifle Association (NRA) was again visible this week. This time, the shows of opposition were outside a convention held by the organization in Indiana, which was not long after that state’s GOP-controlled Senate honored the NRA’s work with a supportive resolution — developments that also drew protests.
In those earlier demonstrations, a group of protesters held signs displaying the names of places where mass shootings have taken place, and footage captured those in attendance calling out in reference to some of those affected by gun violence, from children to even law enforcement officers. In the more recent show of opposition, the activism group Everytown for Gun Safety had at least one truck outside the venue that had been outfitted to display a mobile billboard. On the vehicle’s rear, there were several large messages displayed electronically, and images show the team brought those messages right up to attendees. In one shot that Everytown promoted, they’re seemingly right next to an entrance, as a sign welcoming its readers to the NRA’s gathering is visible nearby.
The messages highlighted institutional corruption at the National Rifle Association in addition to concerns about gun safety. “The NRA protects its leaders, not your rights,” one of the messages proclaimed. “NRA execs are celebrating. Kids are dying,” another message said. An image of that message that Everytown shared shows the truck right by an overhead walkway that looks like part of the venue for the NRA’s convention, where Trump appeared, besides a host of others. “Guns are the #1 killer of children and teens,” another iteration of Everytown’s messaging informed onlookers.
“The NRA is celebrating their corrupt leaders and deadly agenda just as gun violence has become the leading killer of children and teens in America,” activist leader Shannon Watts said on Twitter this week. “@MomsDemand, @StudentsDemand and @Everytown are reminding everyone in Indianapolis just how corrupt this special interest is…” Some 500 children and teens from birth to age 17 have been killed by gun violence across the United States this year, the Gun Violence Archive says.
We've got mobile billboards circling the NRA convention to highlight the NRA’s dire financial state and wasteful spending, and to remind attendees that while NRA executives celebrate, guns remain the #1 killer of children and teens in America. pic.twitter.com/NxC2fpclO4
— Everytown (@Everytown) April 14, 2023
Everytown trucks in front of the NRA convention in Indianapolis: pic.twitter.com/Qz49GWljIb
— Dylan Wells (@dylanewells) April 14, 2023
The NRA is celebrating their corrupt leaders and deadly agenda just as gun violence has become the leading killer of children and teens in America. @MomsDemand, @StudentsDemand and @Everytown are reminding everyone in Indianapolis just how corrupt this special interest is… https://t.co/kg2ad0eTQv
— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) April 14, 2023
A handful of Moms Demand Action members came to protest the Indiana Senate resolution honoring the NRA – calling it “disrespectful, arrogant…a painful reminder that the Indiana Republican Party chooses guns over people every time.” pic.twitter.com/G5THLBUmiC
— Jennie Runevitch (@JennieWTHR) April 11, 2023
Featured image: Lorie Shaull, available under a Creative Commons license
