Today the mighty Team 26 rode into Baltimore, and met with Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. Baltimore is a city with a considerable history of gun violence, so this was an appropriate stop.
I'm writing this because I was honored to be asked. And while I try not to be cynical, I am AMAZED that this issue is continuing to be on the front burner. I thought the massacre was obscene, but obscenities routinely rise and fall on the national news. That this issue has legs (and wheels) tells me Americans have had enough of gun violence.
Team 26 is Baltimore bound! Gun violence is an American problem. Small towns and big cities are united. Together, we will find a cure for the gun epidemic. Now is the time. Get it done!
Team 26 - Day 3 Afternoon -
Mayor Rawlings-Blake made a special proclamation:
Team 26 is honored to stand with Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake of Baltimore. We are humbled by the attached proclamation declaring March 11, 2013 Sandy Hook Ride on Washington Day. We are committed to working with her to end the scourge of gun violence in our cities and our towns.
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Monte Franks brother's column in the Wilmington News Journal.
http://www.delawareonline.com/...
Sandy Hook Ride on WashingtonTeam 26 (AKA The Sandy Hook Riders) are a mix of professional, top amateur, and masters cyclists from the Northeast. Monte Frank, of Sandy Hook, Connecticut, started Team 26 as a way to deliver a message to Congress demanding common sense gun legislation.
Their team includes a former US National Team member, Canadian National Team member, Masters National Champion, and State and Regional Champions. Three members of the Team are from Newtown, including Monte Frank, Bill Muzzio and Chris Peck. Two of the riders have children who went to the Sandy Hook School. Their team includes parents, teachers, and a Vietnam Veteran. They all care deeply about our children and seek reasonable gun control legislation.
TV news story of Team 26's stop in Baltimore.
http://www.wbaltv.com/...
Team 26 has arrived in Baltimore
With a great reception at City Hall with Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. Baltimore City Police were awesome on the ride in.
Baltimore is such an important stop for us. We should not only talk about gun violence when affluent suburban communities are affected - our cities have been suffering this scourge on a daily basis for decades. Mayor Rawlings-Blake, welcome to Team 26 - Newtown stands with Baltimore as we find solutions to this American problem.
Great coverage from local Baltimore media. Watch our feeds for links later.
The west lawn of the U.S. Capitol awaits tomorrow.
PeterOlson
Sandy Hook Ride on Washington ~ March 9 - 12
Team 26 is a group of 26 elite cyclists who will ride from Newtown, CT to Washington, DC beginning on March 9 and arriving on the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol on March 12. Along the way, we will stop in Ridgefield, CT, Frenchtown, NJ and Baltimore, MD. Our goal: to bring Newtown's message to Washington in support of common sense gun legislation.
Please join us as we follow Monte Frank, Peter Olson and the other members of Team 26 as they travel from Newtown, CT to Washington DC. Embedded blogger Becky Frank (Monte’s daughter) will be providing info and photos from the daily events.
Click here to visit Team 26's Facebook page
Facebook account not required
To add this series to your stream
follow the "Team 26" tag
or follow on Tweeter: SHRoW@SHRoW2013
Saturday 3/9
tytalus ~ Morning kick-off 5:30am EST
LilithGardener ~ "Meet the Crew"
Glen The Plumber ~ Evening Wrap-up
Sunday 3/10
Dave in Northridge ~ Morning kick-off
LilithGardener ~ "Meet the Riders"
DefendOurConstitution ~ Evening Wrap-up
Monday 3/11
this is only a test ~ Ride with "Team 26"
LilithGardener ~ "Meet the Riders"
glorificus ~ Evening
Tuesday 3/12
Hey338Too ~ Morning
LilithGardener ~ "Meet the Riders" 2pm EDT
remembrance ~ Evening
URGENT ACTION ALERT - TEAM 26 NEEDS YOUR HELP OVER THE NEXT 48 HOURS
Let's make a deal. While we ride you will 1) call members of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee; and 2) share this post far and wide. How awesome would be for us to arrive at the Capitol with the news that the three bills are going to the floor of the Senate. We can make this happen. NOW IS THE TIME!!!
Here is the action alert from the Newtown Action Alliance:
The United States Senate Judiciary Committee will decide whether to send three bills on gun regulation to the floor of the Senate this Tuesday, March 12. This is the same day that Team 26 will arrive at the Capitol in DC from Sandy Hook, on their bikes. Please support these bills by contacting Judiciary Committee members Monday and Tuesday. Remind the Judiciary Committee that if our Team 26 can exhibit the courage and strength to ride their bikes 400 miles to ensure that what happened on 12/14 results in common sense gun legislation, that surely they can show some political courage and strength by doing what they know in their hearts is the right thing to do. More information on these bills and all of the contact info you need can be found here.
Thank You!