By Thane Grauel

WESTPORT — About 100 people, plus a half dozen dogs and kids in strollers, rallied downtown Wednesday morning against gun violence.

The nation has seen a wave of mass shootings recently, including the recent elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, and a supermarket massacre in Buffalo, which together claimed 29 lives.

The crowd gathered outside Bedford Square, at the corner of Post Road East and Main Street, about 10:30 a.m. for the “Stand Up Against Gun Violence” rally.

“We really are so grateful to have everybody,” said organizer Michelle Post of the group, Westport Moms. “We have to keep trying to make positive change, that’s all we can do.”

She then led the crowd up Main Street, which police closed off to vehicles. The marchers then headed up Avery Street and onto Myrtle Avenue, passing Town Hall, before heading back down Main Street.

“I feel strongly that it’s elected Republican leaders like me that need to say we need to make headway on gun safety in this country,” First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker said at the end of the march.

Traditionally, Republicans in Congress have opposed new gun-control legislation in the wake of mass-shooting incidents over the years.

“It’s people like me that have to say that,” said Tooker, a Republican elected to the town’s top job last November. 

“Hopefully that means our Senate and congressional colleagues will hear it.”

Thane Grauel is a freelance writer and frequent contributor to Westport Journal. Learn more about us here.