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Reps. Clark, Moulton Skip Moment Of Silence To Protest Gun Policies

BOSTON (CBS) - Two members of Congress from Massachusetts are leading the charge to end moments of silence around issues of gun control.

Democrats Katherine Clark and Seth Moulton both walked out of the moments of silence held at the House of Representatives Monday night for the victims of the Orlando shooting. Moulton told WBZ NewsRadio that he heard from people that "silence wasn't enough, thoughts and prayers are not working."

Clark has been tweeting with #NoMoreSilence as she's also boycotting the tradition. She added: "I refuse to take part in a moment of silence by a Congress that takes part in empty gestures rather than do something – anything – that could actually prevent these horrific acts from happening."

We sampled reaction from Clark's 5th District. One woman called Clark's decision "disrespectful" and said a moment of silence wouldn't hurt anyone. But another constituent agreed with Clark and said "we're way beyond symbolic gestures."

We also talked to members of the LGBT community. A group called The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence held a "primal communal scream" in downtown Boston on Sunday as an alternative to moment of silence.

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