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About 100 students, parents and relatives of victims, attended the VA Tech Brady Campaign support-group, at 2 PM, April 16, 2008, a year after the VA Tech tragedy that left 32 victims dead. Norris Hall was the site of 30 deaths, and West Ambler Johnston Hall was the site of two killings.

After agreeing with VT officials to delay the gathering until two hours after the official VT Remembrance Ceremony, the event was held on the Western end of the Drill-Field.

 
Speakers asked that the "gun-purchase loophole" be closed.  They said that it takes three minutes to purchase a gun, without a background-check, at a gun show.  About 80 other sites across the nation, including the Virginia State Capitol, were used for similar protests.

 
The lie-in, a three-minute tribute to those prematurely taken from this world, was timed to symbolize the approximate timing of a gun purchase.

 
Joe Painter, Blacksburg Lawyer, was one of the first to attend. As the only protestor against the gathering, he solemnly held a sign that read "Brady, go home, show some respect." He said that "this is pure politics; it is disrespectful to most all that this kind of activity be held today."

 
Omar Samaha, whose sister, Reena Samaha, was slain, said that "we need to change what is wrong; we need to live every day in hope."  Lori Haas, Mother of victim VT student Emily Haas, said that "VA Tech and other universities are places that use data analysis to help make good decisions; analysis proves that changes need to be made."  ProtestEasyGuns.com is a site that Haas and others work with, to promote improved gun legislation. 

Anne Goddard spoke about her son, Colin, being shot several times; that "the worst tragedy of its kind in the USA was perhaps preventable."  She thanked "Governor Kaine for recently signing a bill that will allow disclosure of information that should prevent mentally ill people from purchasing guns."  Peter Read, a 20-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force, said that he "wasn't afraid of guns, I've been in many situations where enemies had them, as I did.  I want the United States to help us prevent a loss as I did; I lost my daughter. This is a respectful act of love for all," Reading said.

 
After the speeches, about 50 attendees laid down in unison for the three-minute lie-in.  The group peacefully disbanded, after many hugs, tears, and smiles of joy of accomplishment.

Click here to see more photos of this event in our photo gallery.

Photos by Larry Middleton

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