In August of 1999, Donna Dees-Thomases, a New Jersey mother, read with horror about a gunman who randomly shot at a group of children in Granada Hills, California. Seven days later, on August 17, Donna decided to apply for a permit to march on Washington to protest this country's lack of meaningful gun laws.

In September, Donna was joined by a group of 25 Tri-State mothers at a news conference in Manhattan, where she announced that a grassroots movement of mothers called the Million Mom March was planning to march on Washington on Mother's Day in May 2000.

After nine months of organizing, mobilizing, advertising, and energizing, the day finally came. On May 14, 2000, approximately 750,000 mothers and others gathered on the National Mall in Washington, DC to demand sensible gun laws. An additional 150,000 to 200,000 people marched in support events across the country. View the Photo Gallery from Mother's Day 2000.

Following the event, the Million Mom March participants became a chapter-based organization to promote sensible gun laws in state legislatures, merging with a victim led organization called the Bell Campaign, but keeping the name Million Mom March as the new organization.

On October 1, 2001, the Million Mom March merged with the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. By combining the experience, talent, and resources, of two powerful organizations, the new organization is better positioned to encourage Congress to pass national laws that prevent gun violence in this country, rather than legislation to placate the gun lobby.

As part of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence (the nation's largest, non-partisan, grassroots organization leading the fight to prevent gun violence), the national network of Million Mom March Chapters is devoted to creating an America free from gun violence, where all Americans are safe at home, at school, at work, and in our communities.