SAINT PAUL, Minn. — More than 700 faith and religious leaders from across the state signed a letter Wednesday to Gov. Tim Walz and the legislature, demanding a special session and statewide ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.

"You alone have the power to do what the rest of us cannot: make laws," the clergy members wrote in the letter. "We gave you this power, and now we demand that you use it."

The faith leaders also gathered at 12 p.m. on the State Capitol steps for a prayer session. For the next week straight, excluding Saturday, they plan to return to the capitol each afternoon to keep pressure on state lawmakers. Over the course of the week, they will read the names of all 201 members of the legislature.

"There is a fear that if too many days lapse, that the broader

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