In a rare act of civil disobedience in Congress, Democratic lawmakers staged a sit-in on the floor of the House today to express their frustration at the lack of progress on gun control legislation.

“Roughly 40 House lawmakers sat on the floor and refused to allow Republicans to take back control,” USA Today reports. “They took turns talking about gun violence, said they wouldn’t leave until House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., allowed a vote on measures to curb it,  and chanted over and over, ‘No bill, no break!'”

“At noon, Rep. Ted Poe, R-Texas, repeatedly banged his gavel to call the House into order, the Democrats refused, and so he gaveled the House into recess,” the report adds.

The impromptu protest was organized by Democratic Rep. John Lewis of Georgia, who said: “Where is our courage? Those who pursue common-sense improvement are beaten down. Reason is is put aside. … What is the tipping point? Are we blind. Can we see? … Give us a vote! we came here to do our job!”