Lee Daniels advocates for gun control at DNC: 'We need to take action now'

PHILADELPHIA, July 28 (UPI) -- Filmmaker Lee Daniels advocated for gun control reform and Hillary Clinton during a passionate speech at the Democratic National Convention.

"I'm here because the next president of the United States invited me," Daniels said after walking onstage alongside two survivors of the Pulse nightclub attack in Orlando, Brandon Wolf and Jose Arraigada, along with a mother of one of the victims, Christine Leinonen.

"I was a little scared at first. I wondered if Hillary really knew who I was — not just the work I do in entertainment, but who I really am," the creator of Fox's hit drama Empire continued.

Daniels then shared his family's history including how some members are currently in jail or, in the case of his father, a former Philadelphia cop, dead after being killed while on duty when he was 15-years-old. "That's the America I know," he said. "And still I rise."

"It hit me like a brick. Hilary knows me — she knows me. That's what gave me the courage to come and speak in front of y'all tonight," he continued. "Hillary has stood with families of people who died due to gun violence. She's helped turn their heartache into action. I wish she was around for me when my dad died."

The 56-year-old then elaborated on how Clinton will go after gun lobbyists in order to get gun control laws passed. "Hillary understands our right to bear guns, but wants to stop guns from getting into the wrong hands," he said. "You guys: 33,000 Americans die each year from gun violence. That's 90 people a day. Enough."

"This is the most important election of our lifetime. Come November, vote for her," Daniels concluded.

Daniels spoke during day three of the Democratic National Convention following celebrity speakers from day two that included Elizabeth Banks who parodied Trump's dramatic back-lit RNC convention entrance, Lena Dunham and America Ferrera who declared "We're with Hillary" and Meryl Streep who stated that the Democratic nominee had the "grit and grace" to become president.