A Friday press release from Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America promised "hundreds" of gun safety advocates would rally with Shannon Watts, Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) in Atlanta, protesting the NRA's "extremist" agenda. As Bob Owens at Bearing Arms reported, the crowd was almost nonexistent.
Unwilling to admit defeat, Watts tweeted a picture designed to show a much larger crowd.The @MomsDemand / @Everytown protest at #NRAAM2017 is clearly exciting. Security estimates just 75-100 attendees. pic.twitter.com/FvYxtL0sVo
— Bob Owens (@bob_owens) April 29, 2017
Owens reports that they even tried to get homeless people in the park to wear their t-shirts.Per security at the park, actual count was 75-100. @MomsDemand ALWAYS grossly inflates their actual attendance. #NRAAM2017 pic.twitter.com/8B6ugZF5mh
— Bob Owens (@bob_owens) April 29, 2017
Though they're part of a Bloomberg-funded national group, one observer said he'd seen more people at a local club level march.Everytown attempted to bolster their numbers by handing out tee shirts to the homeless. Most were indifferent. pic.twitter.com/FtpSPHLugx
— Bob Owens (@bob_owens) April 29, 2017
As Owens noted, "The thing about fake grassroots organizations is that they don't grow."@bob_owens @shannonrwatts ROFLOL, turn out for MDA today in Atlanta. I've seen more people at a local club level match. Let alone a Regional or Major Match pic.twitter.com/j3ITVHsPAl
— DanR 5.56 (@CaptParker1775) April 29, 2017