From: Thomas A Chandler, [EMAIL PROTECTED] MILLION MOMS GET MILLION DOLLARS TO FIGHT GUN SUPPORTERS News/Current Events Breaking News News Keywords: GUN CONTROL, NRA VS. MILLION MOMS Source: Detroit News Published: 8/22/00 Posted on 08/22/2000 11:08:19 PDT by gcul WASHINGTON -- A donation of at least $1 million to the Million Mom March could benefit pro gun control candidates running this November for U.S. House seats across the country, including those in Michigan. The donation, funneled anonymously to the Million Mom March's political action committee earlier this summer, will be used to hire a professional staff to educate voters about the importance of gun control in key congressional House races nationwide -- and encourage them to vote in November. Though the nonprofit organization cannot campaign directly for a candidate because of its tax status, it will mount an issue-oriented educational campaign in about 10 districts. Michigan -- which has candidates for all 16 U.S. House races -- appears on the organization's short but not yet final target list. "In a lot of races, the gun control issue is going to be central to voters," said Eric Gorvitz, policy director for the Million Mom March. "By highlighting for people the importance of the issue, we can have a lot of influence in this election." But the National Rifle Association, the chief opponent of the Million Mom March, doesn't think the group's effort will be able to attract additional voters for its cause. "We don't think it will have any great impact on this election," association spokeswoman Kelly Whitley said. "They aren't going to be able to sway the voters who weren't already going to go out and vote anyway." Last Mother's Day, the Million Mom March attracted an estimated 750,000 moms to the national mall in Washington, D.C. Local marches also were held in 73 cities in the country. It was hailed as the largest grassroots group ever to rally for tougher gun control laws and for making gun control an issue in the upcoming election. Since then, the group has sprouted more than 200 new chapters in 45 states and mobilized moms in the political process so that their message can be heard. "There have been a host of legislators who have historically opposed sensible gun control bills," Gorvitz said, "and they are going to be looking over their shoulders nervously during this election." In Michigan, the Million Mom March produced Teresa Patterson, a mom who is challenging state Rep. Valde Garcia, R-St. Johns, who opposes gun control, in the state's 86th District. Patterson could not be reached for comment Monday, but Garcia said he's opposed to gun control because "more gun laws don't make for a safer public." The group is planning another march, this time across the Mackinaw Bridge during the Labor Day weekend. But Joy Livingston, the Million Mom March transitional state coordinator, said, "We still have a lot of work to do." -- But gave them the $1 million? Steve. Cybershooters website: http://www.cybershooters.org List admin: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___________________________________________________________ T O P I C A The Email You Want. http://www.topica.com/t/16 Newsletters, Tips and Discussions on Your Favorite Topics
