Students To Host 'Die-In' Rally At Lance’s Westfield Office

WESTFIELD, NJ — Westfield High School sophomore, Colin Sumner, is willing to be arrested if need be to send a message to Congressman Leonard Lance about creating stricter gun laws following the multiple school shootings.

“We are fed up, we are fighting for our lives,” Sumner said. “We are fighting for change. If we have to get arrested then so be it.”

Sumner and two other students are hosting a “Die-In Rally” at Lance’s Westfield Office at 425 North Ave. E, Suite 2, on Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. High School students from all over Union County and parts of Somerset County will also be in attendance.

Specifically, the purpose of the rally is to persuade Lance to sign the petition to bring HR 4240 to the floor of the House of Representatives — a bill that while protecting second amendment rights, would strengthen the criminal background check database for gun purchases, and thus make it harder for criminals to get guns, according to the rally’s Facebook event page.

Sumner says he and other orangizers asked Lance for a comment on the bill and he declined to comment.

When asked by Patch, spokesman for Lance, John Byers released this statement:

“In response to the spate of school shootings, Congressman Lance has championed legislation to require background checks for all gun purchases, to strengthen school security, to ban dangerous bump stocks and to prevent violent and dangerous individuals from purchasing weapons,” Byers stated. “Congressman Lance voted for the new law that provides critical federal funding for school safety and training programs to protect students and collaborate with local law enforcement to prevent acts of violence in our schools. And Congressman Lance authored the law expanding access to mental health services throughout the country.”

Sumner is not afraid to be arrested as he referred to a rally held in February where a Summit worshiper was among six New Jersey clergy and immigrant rights leaders arrested for refusing to leave Lance's office in Westfield during a protest for a "clean Dream Act." See Related: Summit Worshiper Among 6 Arrested During Westfield Protest

“If we can cause disruption and it means getting arrested for Lance to see this, then so be it,” Sumner said.

Sumner is looking to get as many high school students in the District-7 area to join the rally. He is encouraging students and any resident to join and bring signs.

Students interested in joining the rally can go to the Facebook event here for more information and can contact Sumner directly at 908-591-1003.

(Image via National Die-In at Congressman Lance’s Office)

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here.