Women's March Organizers to Protest the NRA at DOJ Headquarters

The following statement was submitted by New York State Assembly Member and DNC Vice Chair Michael Blake.

It has been a hard year for many of us, and numerous unexpected challenges have come our way.

Today, I am writing to ask for your support for the women in our lives, and to help us create a society in which all women are fully respected while we soundly reject injustices against them. 

Tamika Mallory, my sister and dear friend, was personally attacked by the National Rifle Association (NRA) because she and her fellow organizers of the Women's March asked them to take down an inflammatory NRA ad insinuating that “law-abiding” citizens need to arm themselves against the threat of violent liberal protesters, many of whom are people of color and women.

Tamika wants the NRA to start protecting the Second Amendment rights of black and brown people, as well as their First Amendment right to speak out. The NRA's failure to do so has become evident in their refusal to address the unfortunate demise of Philando Castile. Tamika sent an open letter to Wayne LaPierre, the Executive Vice President of the NRA, asking the NRA to release a statement defending Castile's Second Amendment rights.

However, the NRA sourly responded by issuing a new ad titled "We Don't Apologize for Telling the Truth," and insulting her personally.

In response to this, the Women’s March announced a protest against the NRA will be held on July 15 in front of the Department of Justice. It will begin at 10 a.m., and you can spread word about the event on social media using #NRA2DOJ.

We need to support the Women's March movement this weekend, in any way we can.

Source: The Office of Assemblyman Michael Blake