Northern Virginia residents planned to hold two vigils Saturday to remember victims of gun violence as Congress continues to consider new gun control legislation.
The first event was held Saturday afternoon at the First Baptist Church of Vienna at 450 Orchard Street. The second event was due to take place at 7 p.m. on the Town Green at 144 Maple Avenue East.
"The Senate will be in its final stages of debate and by standing together we'll make sure our senators know how many people are behind them in passing legislation," organizers wrote on an event page hosted by the Organizing For Action nonprofit advocacy group.
Organizers say the vigil is intended to remember lives lost in mass shootings in Newtown, Conn; Aurora, Co.; Virginia Tech; and Columbine High School, among others.
Earlier this week, the Senate voted to begin debate on a bill that would expand background checks for gun sales and strengthen mental health and school safety programs. Similar legislation is being drawn up in the House.
Also, President Obama yielded his weekly radio address this weekend to the mother of one of the victims of the December shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown.
