Community Corner
NRA Dinner in Southington, Gun Protest Marches, Highlight Weekend
Both sides of the gun issue are being represented this weekend, starting with a Friday evening event in Southington.
SOUTHINGTON, CT — A weekend dedicated in part to gun-related issues is scheduled to begin with a state National Rifle Association-affiliate dinner on Friday and continue Saturday when thousands are expected to converge on Washington D.C. and localities like Hartford for marches supporting gun control laws.
The dinner, is being staged by the Charter Oak Friends of NRA, is slated for Friday evening at the Aquaturf Club.
Southington police said they were not aware of any protests that might pop up.
Find out what's happening in Southingtonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The dinner includes several firearms being raffled off like the Dark Storm DS15 rifle.
According to a WTNH story some "activists" said critical posts about the dinner have been removed from the Aqua Turf’s social media pages.
Find out what's happening in Southingtonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
WTNH also reported that the same activists are encouraging local high schools to not book the Aqua Turf for their proms.
.@aquaturfclub how dare you host a fundraiser for the @NRA the night before the #MarchForOurLives. CT students will look elsewhere for their Proms and Bar/Bat Mitzvahs. #BoycottNRA #NeverAgain @Emma4Change @cameron_kasky @ChrisMurphyCT
— March for our Lives CT (@march_ct) March 21, 2018
Very disappointing they would host the NRA fundraiser, including a raffle of an AR15 in CT, where one of the worst mass shootings in a school took place. They will lose business over this and list respect in the community.
— LoisK (@LFK2016) March 23, 2018
@aquaturfclub in Plantsville, CT is hosting an NRA fundraiser complete w/GUN GIVEAWAY! This venue is a popular spot for many high school proms. Help support the students who support #MarchForOurLives & let Aquaturf know supporting guns and the @nra will soon be the new "fur." pic.twitter.com/RQE3Qe2Z7R
— Judy K. (@TwinkieRepublic) March 23, 2018
A massive rally is scheduled to take place Saturday in Washington, D.C. It has been dubbed the "March for Our Lives" in response to the slaying of 17 students at a Florida high school last month.
There are some 800 other marches being held around the country, including one in Hartford. It is slated to begin at at 12:30 p.m.
The march has attracted financial support from celebrities, including Amal and George Clooney, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Oprah Winfrey, and Steven Spielberg, who are the most significant donors ($500,000 each). Many other celebrities have offered support as well.
Ariana Grande, Miley Cyrus, Jennifer Hudson, and Demi Lovato are expected to join the marchers in D.C.
Click here for more about the rally.
Photo Credit: Aquaturf Club
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