A sit-in led by Democratic members of the United States House of Representatives began on the House floor Wednesday as they called for Republican colleagues to allow a vote on gun control legislation. The sit-in continued through the night and mid-day Thursday. House Republicans quickly called a recess and cut off C-SPAN’s broadcast of the chamber, but Democrats continued their protest, chanting “no bill, no break” and sharing images and video via social media. “We are calling on the leadership of the House to bring commonsense gun control legislation to the House floor,” said Rep. John Lewis of Georgia. “Give us a vote. Let us vote!” Four bills involving increased gun control measures failed to pass the Senate on Monday. Renewed calls for gun reform were prompted by last week’s massacre at an Orlando nightclub, which became the worst mass shooting in American history. The number of protesters grew as Senate Democrats like Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi joined those on the House floor and spoke outside about the need to keep pushing for more comprehensive gun control legislation. After 26 hours, the protesters announced an end to the sit-in, saying they would return to the House after next week’s recess for the July 4 holiday.

sit-in — a form of protest in which demonstrators occupy a place, refusing to leave until their demands are met civil disobedience — the refusal to comply with certain laws or to pay taxes and fines, as a peaceful form of political protest C-SPAN — acronym for the Cable-Satellite Public Affairs Network, which broadcasts proceedings of the U.S. Congress, as well as other public events and programs, on cable television