Talk show host and gun control activist Rosie O'Donnell and Donna Dees-Thomases chatted LIVE about the first Million Mom March. Donna Dees-Thomases began planning the march a year ago, when she realized that many mothers wanted to do their part in putting an end to gun violence against their children. See what they had to say below.
Scroll down to read the full transcript...
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OnlineHost: Welcome, Rosie O'Donnell, to our discussion of the Million Mom March. Would you like to give us some introductory information about the march?
Rosie O’Donnell: IT IS THIS SUNDAY IN WASHINGTON DC AND OTHER CITIES ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. WE ARE A GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATION COMPOSED OF MOTHERS AND OTHERS CONCERNED ABOUT GUN VIOLENCE IN OUR COUNTRY. WE ARE MARCHING TO SHOW CONGRESS WE ARE FED UP AND WE WANT SENSIBLE GUN LEGISLATION.
Question: Whose idea was the march?
Rosie O’Donnell: DONNA, WHO WILL BE ONLINE IN A MOMENT. SHE IS THE ORGANIZER, THE FOUNDER.
Question: You've used your celebrity for many charitable causes. Why is this cause special to you?
Rosie O’Donnell: I AM A CHILD ADVOCATE. OVER 400 KIDS ARE SHOT TO DEATH EVERY YEAR IN AMERICA. IT IS AN ISSUE OF CHILD PROTECTION. MORE KIDS GET SHOT EACH YEAR THAN DIE OF AIDS, CF AND CANCER, COMBINED. IT IS A SIN.
Question: Who is involved with this whole Mom March? And even though I’m not a mom, can I still participate in the Mom March?
Rosie O’Donnell: 4000, NOT 400 -- THAT WAS A TYPO. YES, YOU CAN. IT IS MOTHERS AND OTHERS. ALL CONCERNED ARE INVITED.
Question: Rosie, will you ever rerun the episode of your show when you discussed gun control issues with Tom Selleck? I think it was very powerful and made people aware of the problem, even though it was very emotional. Thank you for sticking up for our children.
Rosie O’Donnell: I DON'T KNOW IF WE WILL RERUN THAT ONE. IT WAS QUITE POWERFUL, AND I THINK IT CAME AS A SHOCK TO EVERYONE INVOLVED, INCLUDING ME.
AOLiveMC19: Let's welcome Donna Dees-Thomases to the stage, the founder of the Million Mom March. Donna, perhaps you can address this next question:
Question: If there can only be one gun control law that can be changed, what would you both like to see happen? Or the most important?
Donna Dees-Thomases: Registration of all firearms -- no other law can be properly enforced without it. It is like having speeding limits, red lights and stop signs and not having a driver...
Rosie O’Donnell: LICENSE AND REGISTRATION OF ALL FIREARMS.
Donna Dees-Thomases: ...learn how to drive and have a registration for that vehicle.
Rosie O’Donnell: I AGREE.
Question: Are you concerned about security at the march?
Donna Dees-Thomases: I think the fact that we have to ask is why we have to march in this country! We have to march, but we do not have to be concerned about going to our national Mall, national zoo, our nursery schools and high schools and fear violence.
AOLiveMC19: Here's an interesting thought from one of our members...
Question: To ease paranoia, do you think that the government could pass some kind of legislation that offers free home security systems nationwide as a way to appease those who are opposed to stricter gun laws because they feel the need for extra protection?
Rosie O’Donnell: THE NRA IS BIG, ORGANIZED, POWERFUL AND SCARY. THEY HAVE A BILLION-DOLLAR INDUSTRY THEY ARE TRYING TO KEEP INTACT. WE ARE TRYING TO SAVE KIDS’ LIVES. YES, THERE ARE SECURITY CONCERNS....
AOLiveMC19: Donna, how did you get involved in the Million Mom March? How did it get started?
Rosie O’Donnell: IF YOU OWN A GUN, YOU ARE 43 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO BE THE VICTIM OF GUN VIOLENCE. GUNS IN YOUR HOME DO NOT PROTECT YOU. MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, THEY HURT OR KILL A LOVED ONE.
Donna Dees-Thomases: I was deeply distressed after the shootings at a daycare center in Granada Hills, California. My kids go to a similar center, and I was shocked to learn how easy it is for the mentally -- I mean criminally ill to get access to guns. And seven days later, I applied for a permit to march in Washington.
Question: How many celebs will be at the march?
Rosie O’Donnell: TONS. EVERY MOM IS A CELEB ON SUNDAY.
AOLiveMC19: Are other events planned throughout the country on May 14th for those who can't attend the March in DC?
Donna Dees-Thomases: There will be 67 marches in support of the Million Mom March from places as far as Jackson, Mississippi... Tulsa, Oklahoma... LA. Go to the web site www.millionmommarch.com to see where you can go to get involved.
AOLiveMC19: Do you anticipate this becoming an annual event?
Rosie O’Donnell: I HOPE IT DOESN’T HAVE TO. I HOPE IT IS THE START OF A POWERFUL MOVEMENT IN THE NATION.
AOLiveMC19: We have a number of our younger members asking what they can do to help.
Rosie O’Donnell: I HOPE ELECTED OFFICIALS KNOW WE MOMS VOTE, AND THIS NOVEMBER WE ARE VOTING.
Donna Dees-Thomases: Bring their moms to the Mall on May 14th. If not, go to a support march near you to show up and be counted!
Rosie O’Donnell: AND KIDS... NEVER, EVER TOUCH A GUN.
AOLiveMC19: Will both of you be speaking at the rally, and what other speakers are scheduled?
Donna Dees-Thomases: I will not be speaking at the rally.
Rosie O’Donnell: I AM THE EMCEE, AND THERE WILL BE MANY SPEAKERS. STRONG VOICES...
Donna Dees-Thomases: The speakers will be those who can move people to action and tears.
Rosie O’Donnell: ...WITH ONE CLEAR MESSAGE -- WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH.
AOLiveMC19: Members are asking what the best way is to find out information about their local politicians and their stands on gun safety.
Rosie O’Donnell: I WOULD ASK ALL OF YOU TO REGISTER TO VOTE, BECAUSE IN NOVEMBER WE WILL BE VOTING FOR THOSE WHO SUPPORT GUN CONTROL. YOUR VOICE, YOUR VOTE COUNTS.
Donna Dees-Thomases: They should continue to log onto the Million Mom March web site, because the march will march on, and we will continue to have information on which candidates are supporters of gun control legislation.
Question: How many do you think will be at the march?
Donna Dees-Thomases: Last low estimate was 150,000, and with 67 support marches, we could possibly hit a million moms across America.
AOLiveMC19: Rosie, will there be coverage on your show of the march?
Rosie O’Donnell: NOT ON MY SHOW, BUT ON ALL THE NEWS CHANNELS. AND I WILL SPEAK ABOUT IT ON MONDAY LIVE ON MY SHOW.
Question: You feel very strongly about this subject... do you think that your passion is a help or a hindrance in getting your point across?
Rosie O’Donnell: A LITTLE OF BOTH, BUT WITHOUT LOUD, STRONG VOICES, WE WOULD NOT BE HEARD. THE NRA IS SO WELL FUNDED, ALTHOUGH THE VAST MAJORITY OF AMERICANS SUPPORT TOUGH GUN CONTROL LAWS....
Donna Dees-Thomases: Couldn't agree more!
Rosie O’Donnell: WE NEED PASSIONATE SPEAKERS, AND NOT ONLY THOSE WHO HAVE HAD THEIR LIVES SHATTERED BY BULLETS, MOMS LIKE YOU AND ME, BEFORE OUR KIDS BECOME A STAT.
AOLiveMC19: Donna, could you tell our members about the NRA's ad today and your reaction to it?
Donna Dees-Thomases: I think it is absurd to put the responsibility of safety on a child.
Rosie O’Donnell: IT IS KINDA LIKE THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY BEING CONCERNED ABOUT LUNG CANCER, WHEN THEY MAKE ALL THEIR MONEY SELLING LUNG CANCER STICKS. THE NRA IS PROTECTING THEIR INTEREST, WHICH IS ALL ABOUT A BILLION-DOLLAR GUN INDUSTRY.
Donna Dees-Thomases: Also, any eagle program is a recruiting tool for the NRA to get kids hooked on guns early! The NRA is not in support of schools coming up with their own programs for safety; they want their own program to push their message.
Rosie O’Donnell: GUNS AND KIDS DON'T -- EVEN WITH EDDIE EAGLE, 4000 KIDS ARE SHOT DEAD A YEAR. DEAD.
Donna Dees-Thomases: It is too bad that the gun lobby doesn't invest that money into the technology to help create childproof guns. There is no reason why a 6-year-old should be able to pull a trigger to kill another 6-year-old. We have childproof mouthwash -- we can make some childproof guns.
Rosie O’Donnell: FOR EVERY CHILD KILLED, 4 ARE WOUNDED. 60 KIDS ARE SHOT EVERY DAY, 12 OF WHOM DIE.
Question: What would be your ideal vision for gun control?
Rosie O’Donnell: LICENSE AND REGISTER ALL FIREARMS. ALL. BAN HANDGUNS TOTALLY -- THEY ARE MADE FOR ONE REASON... TO KILL PEOPLE.
Question: Hey, Rosie, are your kids going to be marching with you on Sunday?
Rosie O’Donnell: NO WAY, JOSE.
AOLiveMC19: Could you tell us the web site address for the Million Mom March?
Rosie O’Donnell: WWW.MILLIONMOMMARCH.COM.
Donna Dees-Thomases: Please check out www.millionmommarch.com.
Rosie O’Donnell: I HOPE YOU ALL SHOW UP ON SUNDAY IN DC OR A CITY NEAR YOU. THIS ISSUE IS OF VITAL IMPORTANCE. YOUR VOICE COUNTS.
Donna Dees-Thomases: This is just the beginning of a major grassroots movement in this country, and I urge every mother who has cried in her kitchen to join us and be part of the solution!
AOLiveMC19: Thank you, Rosie O'Donnell and Donna Dees-Thomases, for joining us tonight. And thank you, AOL members, for your excellent questions. Good night!
Copyright 2000 America Online, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Portions of this transcript may be edited by AOL to correct spelling, punctuation and/or remove any material that violates AOL's Terms of Service.
Scroll down to read the full transcript...
*****************************************************
OnlineHost: Welcome, Rosie O'Donnell, to our discussion of the Million Mom March. Would you like to give us some introductory information about the march?
Rosie O’Donnell: IT IS THIS SUNDAY IN WASHINGTON DC AND OTHER CITIES ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. WE ARE A GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATION COMPOSED OF MOTHERS AND OTHERS CONCERNED ABOUT GUN VIOLENCE IN OUR COUNTRY. WE ARE MARCHING TO SHOW CONGRESS WE ARE FED UP AND WE WANT SENSIBLE GUN LEGISLATION.
Question: Whose idea was the march?
Rosie O’Donnell: DONNA, WHO WILL BE ONLINE IN A MOMENT. SHE IS THE ORGANIZER, THE FOUNDER.
Question: You've used your celebrity for many charitable causes. Why is this cause special to you?
Rosie O’Donnell: I AM A CHILD ADVOCATE. OVER 400 KIDS ARE SHOT TO DEATH EVERY YEAR IN AMERICA. IT IS AN ISSUE OF CHILD PROTECTION. MORE KIDS GET SHOT EACH YEAR THAN DIE OF AIDS, CF AND CANCER, COMBINED. IT IS A SIN.
Question: Who is involved with this whole Mom March? And even though I’m not a mom, can I still participate in the Mom March?
Rosie O’Donnell: 4000, NOT 400 -- THAT WAS A TYPO. YES, YOU CAN. IT IS MOTHERS AND OTHERS. ALL CONCERNED ARE INVITED.
Question: Rosie, will you ever rerun the episode of your show when you discussed gun control issues with Tom Selleck? I think it was very powerful and made people aware of the problem, even though it was very emotional. Thank you for sticking up for our children.
Rosie O’Donnell: I DON'T KNOW IF WE WILL RERUN THAT ONE. IT WAS QUITE POWERFUL, AND I THINK IT CAME AS A SHOCK TO EVERYONE INVOLVED, INCLUDING ME.
AOLiveMC19: Let's welcome Donna Dees-Thomases to the stage, the founder of the Million Mom March. Donna, perhaps you can address this next question:
Question: If there can only be one gun control law that can be changed, what would you both like to see happen? Or the most important?
Donna Dees-Thomases: Registration of all firearms -- no other law can be properly enforced without it. It is like having speeding limits, red lights and stop signs and not having a driver...
Rosie O’Donnell: LICENSE AND REGISTRATION OF ALL FIREARMS.
Donna Dees-Thomases: ...learn how to drive and have a registration for that vehicle.
Rosie O’Donnell: I AGREE.
Question: Are you concerned about security at the march?
Donna Dees-Thomases: I think the fact that we have to ask is why we have to march in this country! We have to march, but we do not have to be concerned about going to our national Mall, national zoo, our nursery schools and high schools and fear violence.
AOLiveMC19: Here's an interesting thought from one of our members...
Question: To ease paranoia, do you think that the government could pass some kind of legislation that offers free home security systems nationwide as a way to appease those who are opposed to stricter gun laws because they feel the need for extra protection?
Rosie O’Donnell: THE NRA IS BIG, ORGANIZED, POWERFUL AND SCARY. THEY HAVE A BILLION-DOLLAR INDUSTRY THEY ARE TRYING TO KEEP INTACT. WE ARE TRYING TO SAVE KIDS’ LIVES. YES, THERE ARE SECURITY CONCERNS....
AOLiveMC19: Donna, how did you get involved in the Million Mom March? How did it get started?
Rosie O’Donnell: IF YOU OWN A GUN, YOU ARE 43 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO BE THE VICTIM OF GUN VIOLENCE. GUNS IN YOUR HOME DO NOT PROTECT YOU. MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, THEY HURT OR KILL A LOVED ONE.
Donna Dees-Thomases: I was deeply distressed after the shootings at a daycare center in Granada Hills, California. My kids go to a similar center, and I was shocked to learn how easy it is for the mentally -- I mean criminally ill to get access to guns. And seven days later, I applied for a permit to march in Washington.
Question: How many celebs will be at the march?
Rosie O’Donnell: TONS. EVERY MOM IS A CELEB ON SUNDAY.
AOLiveMC19: Are other events planned throughout the country on May 14th for those who can't attend the March in DC?
Donna Dees-Thomases: There will be 67 marches in support of the Million Mom March from places as far as Jackson, Mississippi... Tulsa, Oklahoma... LA. Go to the web site www.millionmommarch.com to see where you can go to get involved.
AOLiveMC19: Do you anticipate this becoming an annual event?
Rosie O’Donnell: I HOPE IT DOESN’T HAVE TO. I HOPE IT IS THE START OF A POWERFUL MOVEMENT IN THE NATION.
AOLiveMC19: We have a number of our younger members asking what they can do to help.
Rosie O’Donnell: I HOPE ELECTED OFFICIALS KNOW WE MOMS VOTE, AND THIS NOVEMBER WE ARE VOTING.
Donna Dees-Thomases: Bring their moms to the Mall on May 14th. If not, go to a support march near you to show up and be counted!
Rosie O’Donnell: AND KIDS... NEVER, EVER TOUCH A GUN.
AOLiveMC19: Will both of you be speaking at the rally, and what other speakers are scheduled?
Donna Dees-Thomases: I will not be speaking at the rally.
Rosie O’Donnell: I AM THE EMCEE, AND THERE WILL BE MANY SPEAKERS. STRONG VOICES...
Donna Dees-Thomases: The speakers will be those who can move people to action and tears.
Rosie O’Donnell: ...WITH ONE CLEAR MESSAGE -- WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH.
AOLiveMC19: Members are asking what the best way is to find out information about their local politicians and their stands on gun safety.
Rosie O’Donnell: I WOULD ASK ALL OF YOU TO REGISTER TO VOTE, BECAUSE IN NOVEMBER WE WILL BE VOTING FOR THOSE WHO SUPPORT GUN CONTROL. YOUR VOICE, YOUR VOTE COUNTS.
Donna Dees-Thomases: They should continue to log onto the Million Mom March web site, because the march will march on, and we will continue to have information on which candidates are supporters of gun control legislation.
Question: How many do you think will be at the march?
Donna Dees-Thomases: Last low estimate was 150,000, and with 67 support marches, we could possibly hit a million moms across America.
AOLiveMC19: Rosie, will there be coverage on your show of the march?
Rosie O’Donnell: NOT ON MY SHOW, BUT ON ALL THE NEWS CHANNELS. AND I WILL SPEAK ABOUT IT ON MONDAY LIVE ON MY SHOW.
Question: You feel very strongly about this subject... do you think that your passion is a help or a hindrance in getting your point across?
Rosie O’Donnell: A LITTLE OF BOTH, BUT WITHOUT LOUD, STRONG VOICES, WE WOULD NOT BE HEARD. THE NRA IS SO WELL FUNDED, ALTHOUGH THE VAST MAJORITY OF AMERICANS SUPPORT TOUGH GUN CONTROL LAWS....
Donna Dees-Thomases: Couldn't agree more!
Rosie O’Donnell: WE NEED PASSIONATE SPEAKERS, AND NOT ONLY THOSE WHO HAVE HAD THEIR LIVES SHATTERED BY BULLETS, MOMS LIKE YOU AND ME, BEFORE OUR KIDS BECOME A STAT.
AOLiveMC19: Donna, could you tell our members about the NRA's ad today and your reaction to it?
Donna Dees-Thomases: I think it is absurd to put the responsibility of safety on a child.
Rosie O’Donnell: IT IS KINDA LIKE THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY BEING CONCERNED ABOUT LUNG CANCER, WHEN THEY MAKE ALL THEIR MONEY SELLING LUNG CANCER STICKS. THE NRA IS PROTECTING THEIR INTEREST, WHICH IS ALL ABOUT A BILLION-DOLLAR GUN INDUSTRY.
Donna Dees-Thomases: Also, any eagle program is a recruiting tool for the NRA to get kids hooked on guns early! The NRA is not in support of schools coming up with their own programs for safety; they want their own program to push their message.
Rosie O’Donnell: GUNS AND KIDS DON'T -- EVEN WITH EDDIE EAGLE, 4000 KIDS ARE SHOT DEAD A YEAR. DEAD.
Donna Dees-Thomases: It is too bad that the gun lobby doesn't invest that money into the technology to help create childproof guns. There is no reason why a 6-year-old should be able to pull a trigger to kill another 6-year-old. We have childproof mouthwash -- we can make some childproof guns.
Rosie O’Donnell: FOR EVERY CHILD KILLED, 4 ARE WOUNDED. 60 KIDS ARE SHOT EVERY DAY, 12 OF WHOM DIE.
Question: What would be your ideal vision for gun control?
Rosie O’Donnell: LICENSE AND REGISTER ALL FIREARMS. ALL. BAN HANDGUNS TOTALLY -- THEY ARE MADE FOR ONE REASON... TO KILL PEOPLE.
Question: Hey, Rosie, are your kids going to be marching with you on Sunday?
Rosie O’Donnell: NO WAY, JOSE.
AOLiveMC19: Could you tell us the web site address for the Million Mom March?
Rosie O’Donnell: WWW.MILLIONMOMMARCH.COM.
Donna Dees-Thomases: Please check out www.millionmommarch.com.
Rosie O’Donnell: I HOPE YOU ALL SHOW UP ON SUNDAY IN DC OR A CITY NEAR YOU. THIS ISSUE IS OF VITAL IMPORTANCE. YOUR VOICE COUNTS.
Donna Dees-Thomases: This is just the beginning of a major grassroots movement in this country, and I urge every mother who has cried in her kitchen to join us and be part of the solution!
AOLiveMC19: Thank you, Rosie O'Donnell and Donna Dees-Thomases, for joining us tonight. And thank you, AOL members, for your excellent questions. Good night!
Copyright 2000 America Online, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Portions of this transcript may be edited by AOL to correct spelling, punctuation and/or remove any material that violates AOL's Terms of Service.