House Sit-In “Runs on Dunkin'”

By Samantha Reilly | June 23, 2016

In response to inaction around gun control policy, Democratic representatives sat on their butts to encourage Republican legislators to get off theirs in what is now the longest running House sit-in on record.

The sit-in lasted more than 24 hours, extending beyond the republicans’ vote to adjourn the session until after the July 4 recess.

At 6 a.m. June 23, more than 19 hours after the sit-in began, roughly 20 democrats remained on the floor, according to the Washington Post. More than 170 democrats participated in the sit-in over the course of 26 hours, according to CNN. In case you’re wondering how they’ve made it this far, I’ve compiled some of their survival tactics below.

1. Bring in reinforcements

Senate Democrats made frequent visits and didn’t arrive empty handed.

Gifts included blankets, phone chargers, toiletries, and, Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s oh-so-historical contribution: Dunkin’ Donuts.

Massachusetts knows: America — and #NoBillNoBreak — runs on @DunkinDonuts. #birthdaydonuts#holdthefloorpic.twitter.com/XG1wzU5q41

— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) June 23, 2016

(Dunkin Donuts has not released any public statement confirming or denying the company’s use of guerrilla advertising.)

2. Don’t forget to take selfies

When C-SPAN turned its cameras off, the representatives–realizing it’s 2016–turned to Periscope and social media to stream video of all the sitting action.

Well this is historic, the feed of the House floor being broadcast by a member on Periscope https://t.co/AkP1yehu07

— Luke Russert (@LukeRussert) June 22, 2016

I’m on the House floor with @repjohnlewis & Dems staging a sit-in to demand action on commonsense gun legislation pic.twitter.com/byIivby5gG

— Rep. John Yarmuth (@RepJohnYarmuth) June 22, 2016

3. Be careful what you chant for

From Wednesday into early Thursday morning, the representatives chanted, “No bill, no break,” which made for a catchy hashtag and an ambitious commitment to their seating choices.

.@SpeakerRyan, we will not leave without acting for the victims & families of reckless gun violence. #NoBillNoBreakpic.twitter.com/eTB1WMATMd

— John Lewis (@repjohnlewis) June 23, 2016

Well, the democrats ended the sit-in shortly after 1 p.m. Thursday, and no bill had been passed. An aide told CNN that they felt they had made their point, though.

Video shared by @VeraMBergen shows the crowd chanting “we’re with you” following end of #DemocraticSitInpic.twitter.com/16qaz8GbFA

— BuzzFeed News (@BuzzFeedNews) June 23, 2016

4. When in doubt, bury exhaustion and failure to enact policy change under a nicely worded Terminator reference.

Rep. John Lewis, who spurred the sit in, said, “We must come back here on July 5th [when Congress returns to session] more determined than ever before.”

They’ll be back.