WASHINGTON (AP) — Residents from Newtown, Conn., are joining a march on Washington for gun control with parents, pastors, survivors of gun violence and Education Secretary Arne Duncan.

Organizers say they are expecting thousands of participants for the rally on the National Mall. They will gather Saturday at the Capitol Reflecting Pool at 10 a.m. and will march toward the Washington Monument at 11 a.m. A rally is planned on the monument grounds at noon.

Molly Smith, the artistic director of Washington's Arena Stage, organized the march following the Connecticut massacre that killed 20 first graders and six teachers at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

The group One Million Moms for Gun Control, the Washington National Cathedral and two other churches are co-sponsoring the march. District of Columbia and Maryland lawmakers will speak.