Georgia Representative John Lewis is at the center of a sit-in on the House floor adding more pressure to Republicans in hopes of curbing America’s gun violence. The civil rights icon and other House Democrats are demanding a vote on legislation that would expand background checks for gun purchases and prevent suspected terrorists from purchasing guns.

Lewis took the podium Wednesday calling for House Speaker Paul Ryan to pass “common sense gun control legislation”.

“Mr. Speaker, where is the heart of this body? Where is our soul? Where is our moral leadership? Where is our courage?,” Rep. Lewis said surrounded by supporters. “Are we blind? Can we see? How many more mothers? How many more fathers need to shed tears of grief before we do something. We were elected to lead, Mr. Speaker. We must be headlights and not tail lights. We cannot continue to stick our heads in the sand and ignore the reality of man’s gun violence in our nation. Deadly, mass shootings are becoming more, and more frequent. Mr. Speaker this is a fight, not an opinion”

During the recess, dozens of House Democrats gathered to read the names of gun victims. The House returned for its session and standard noontime prayer. The Democrats didn’t budge.

“We have come to the floor today to demand action. We have come to the floor with John Lewis. When John Lewis speaks the conscious of our Congress, America listens,” said Rep. Katherine Clark (D-MASS).

Before the sit-in, Lewis sent Ryan a letter requesting the House remain session through the recess to hash out gun control legislation.

“There is no holiday from gun violence for ordinary Americans,” Clark said.

Lawmakers have been live tweeting updates about the sit-in.

This is just one in a series of efforts since the Orlando nightclub massacre to pass tighter gun laws. Last week, Senate Democrats hosted a nearly 15-hour long filibuster. On Monday, Senators lacked bipartisan support to pass four key gun control measures.

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