In the wake of several recent mass shootings, thousands of people gathered in front of the Capitol Saturday for a silent march urging Congress to act on legislation to control guns. Newtown parents were reportedly among the demonstrators in attendance. Photo Credit, Creative Commons.

Approximately 100 residents from Newtown, Conn., were among nearly 1,000 people mobilized in support of tougher gun control laws. Many participants held signs with the names and faces of victims of gun violence. Demonstrators also carried signs that read "Ban Assault Weapons Now" "Stop NRA" and "Gun Control Now," while some waved placards that read "We Are Sandy Hook."  

Marchers walked through the city to the Washington Monument, where they gathered to hear speakers, all proponents of gun reform.

U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan told those assembled that the demonstration wasn't about the Second Amendment.

"This is about gun responsibility; this is about gun safety; this is about fewer dead Americans, fewer dead children," he said. 

He added, "This march is a starting point. It's not an ending point. We must act, we must act, we must act."

Read more on the demonstrations here.

Follow Executive Producer Chima Simone on Twitter.