The Million Mom March began as a grassroots movement sparked by Donna Dees-Thomases after she viewed broadcast coverage of the Los Angeles Jewish Community Center shooting in Granada Hills , California . In October 1999 , she and several Tri-State activists from the New York metropolitan area held a news conference in Manhattan , where they announced their intent to march in Washington . The march was held on May 14 , 2000 to coincide with Mother 's Day , with the organization reporting a turnout of 750,000 supporters . Following the event the organization became chapter-based and merged with the victim-led pro-gun control group Bell Campaign . In 2001 the Million Mom March organization merged with the Brady Campaign
Los Angeles Jewish Community Center shooting
Los Angeles Jewish Community Center shooting
Million Mom March