Ever since the numerous events that happened the past year, the NRA or the National Rifle Association has been the center of controversy. It has gotten so intense when the shooting incident happened in a school in Parkland, Florida wherein 17 people died. This has indeed separated the entire United States since half of it’s citizens wish to have the Second Amendment revised.
The other half says that they simply cannot revoke the rights of owning and possessing firearms for self-protection. This has been a subject for debate, from politicians, celebrities, and even for the common citizens of America. Which is why the upcoming NRA convention that will be happening in Dallas, Texas this weekend is going to be interesting, especially with the fact that US President Donald Trump will be there along with Vice President Mike Pence.
People who support the NRA are not the only ones who will be there, thousands of protesters will be there as well and because of this convention, a group of celebrities has decided to form a coalition against NRA, continue reading to find out more about it.
Donald Trump during a forum for the NRA
NRA Dallas Convention
The 147th National Rifle Association will take place in Dallas, Texas this weekend and it is going to be a huge event. One of the major reasons is that because Trump and Pence will grace everyone with their presence. It was announced last week that Trump will be there on Friday for the forum on NRA-ILA Leadership.
This will be alongside Vice President Mike Pence, Governor Greg Abbott and even Senator John Cornyn and Ted Cruz. In a statement from the executive director of the NRA, Chris W. Cox, he mentioned how he feels very honored to welcome the president and the other officials in the celebration of American freedom without feeling bad about it.
This is considered to be a celebration for those who are supporting the NRA and its members, then again, it is also a chance for those who are against it, to protest. The scheduled protest will be on Friday and Saturday and it will be led by groups who are Anti-NRA and the events will be entitled Dallas Standing Against the NRA for the Friday event and Dallas United Against Gun Violence, and these two events will both take place at the City Hall.
One of the groups released a statement saying that they are indeed incredibly united when it comes to having the same goal, and that is to simply show the National Rifle Association as well as the Trump administration that they will continue to fight for what they believe is right not just for themselves but for the entire American nation.
They will neither be bought or silenced so there is no way that they will back down. The group also said that they will take this opportunity to honor those lives that were taken because of gun violence and mass shootings. They will represent and join the families and friends of those who lost their loved ones and will not stop since more people might end up having their lives taken again if this doesn’t stop.
Celebrities VS NRA
If Dallas is preparing for the massive event this weekend, a group of celebrities is forming a coalition against the NRA known as the No Rifle Association or the NoRA. Some of the biggest names in the Hollywood industry decided to take part in it, including Alec Baldwin, Jimmy Kimmel, Alyssa Milano, Julianne Moore, Amy Schumer.
The NoRa have released an open letter to NRA Vice President Wayne LaPierre, wherein they are asking the said association to stop being involved with politics by no longer influencing American politicians. One of the goals of the No Rifle Association is to expose public servants who are trying to get money from the NRA in exchange for their support during campaign periods. Alyssa Milano, who was one of the celebrities who popularized the #MeToo movement, is also supporting this coalition because she said that she was incredibly devastated with what happened last February in Florida where 17 people died.
According to the Center for Responsive Politics, the NRA has spent more than $54 million just to take part in the 2016 elections. United States President Donald Trump has been incredibly vocal when it comes to supporting the NRA since he, himself, is a member and he also got a couple of millions from the said association.