The setting and the tone were familiar.
So was the topic.
It happened at the state capitol rotunda, chants and shouts echoing off the decorative walls and the historic dome.
Hundreds of members of the group “Moms Demand Action”, most wearing their familiar bright red T-shirts, made noise but also got quiet as a line of speakers rallied support for gun safety laws.
There are two bills working their way through the half of that same building that the rally-goers feel will reduce the risk of gun violence.
One would improve secure firearm storage, an idea that moved First Lady Gwen Walz to lead a “lock them up” chant.
The other would require gun owners to report lost or stolen firearms to police.
The next step Tuesday was to break up into smaller groups to meet head-on with lawmakers.
“When I say action, you say now!” implored St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter.
He got it, the rally-goers grabbing printed material, clipboards, pens, and other items before heading toward lawmakers’ offices.
“I feel empowered,” said Lauren Racer from Brooklyn Center, who is a gun violence survivor. “It feels like you’re kind of alone in it, so it feels really nice to gather together with people who say, yes, we’re going to make some positive change.”
Gun safety rallies are nothing new, “not our first rodeo” is how the governor’s wife put it, but these people aren’t frustrated about having to return to the capitol to repeat the same message.
“We keep trying, there’s always hope, we’re not going to give up until this gun violence is reduced, somehow, by knowledge, or legislation, or mandates that can remove guns from dangerous people,” said Carol Deschler of Oakdale.
Opponents say the proposals focus on guns instead of the people who would use them illegally.