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C-SPAN uses social media feeds to cover protest

This photo provided by Rep. Chillie Pingree,D-Maine, shows Democrat members of Congress, including Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., center, and Rep. Elizabeth Esty, D-Conn. as they participate in sit-down protest seeking a a vote on gun control measures, Wednesday, June 22, 2016, on the floor of the House on Capitol Hill in Washington. (Rep. Chillie Pingree via AP) This photo provided by Rep. Chillie Pingree,D-Maine, shows Democrat members of Congress, including Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., center, and Rep. Elizabeth Esty, D-Conn. as they participate in sit-down protest seeking a a vote on gun control measures, Wednesday, June 22, 2016, on the floor of the House on Capitol Hill in Washington. (Rep. Chillie Pingree via AP)

By Associated Press June 22, 2016 1 min read

NEW YORK (AP) – C-SPAN is using social media feeds provided by protesters to televise the House Democrats’ gun control sit-in on Wednesday after cameras that usually follow Congress were shut down.

Democratic U.S. Reps. Scott Peters and Beto O’Rourke sent live footage of the protest through Periscope and Facebook, which C-SPAN picked up.

C-SPAN accepts no government money, but uses cameras set up by Congress to fulfill its mission to televise House and Senate sessions. So when Wednesday’s session of the Republican-controlled House was canceled because of the protest, the cameras were shut off.

But Howard Mortman of C-SPAN said its responsibility is to cover Congress – including the protest.