Nearly 26 hours after Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) strolled across the House floor and sat down to protest the absence of gun reform from the legislative docket, he and his fellow Democrats called an end to the demonstration.
The 76-year-old civil rights icon was, appropriately, the last to speak at the lectern where numerous other colleagues had taken their turns to demand consideration of two bills: one that would bar those on a no-fly list from buying firearms and another requiring background checks for gun purchases at gun shows and online. The Democrats had remained there through the night, even as Republican leadership had recessed the House, denying the protest live coverage on C-SPAN. The lawmakers who stayed used Periscope, a smartphone app that live-streams video, to get the word out instead.
Ultimately, Lewis didn't get a vote. And even if he had, it wasn't likely that the bill would have passed. But the sit-in did galvanize the party and the public, with throngs of people flocking to the Capitol grounds Wednesday night to cheer on the congressional disruption.
"It is a struggle and we are going to win the struggle," Lewis said, as he wrapped up the sit-in.
Minutes later, Lewis was hailed as a hero when he walked outside the Capitol and into a sea of supporters holding signs touting gun control.
"Never give up!" he said.
"Never give up!" people shouted back.
"We've got to vote like we've never, ever voted before," Lewis said.
He then led the crowd in singing "We Shall Overcome."
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
House Democrats End Their Sit-In Protest Over Gun Reform
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