Parents voices from Sandy Hook NEWTOWN, Conn.—Exactly a month after the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School, dozens of teary-eyed family members, many clutching framed photos of their slain children, gathered in the basement of the town hall on Main Street to announce the launch of Sandy Hook Promise. The groups mission is to promote a national dialogue on gun violence, mental health and school safety—and to honor the 26 school shooting victims with a promise of real change. About 30 family members took their seats on a small stage underneath a basketball hoop at one end of the Edmond Town Hall gym for an emotional press conference attended by friends, community leaders, first responders and about 150 members of the media. Many wore green-and-white ribbons. Some held hands as tears streamed down their faces. Tissue boxes were placed at their feet. Nicole Hockley, whose 6-year-old son Dylan was killed, was the first parent to speak. Its a sad honor to be here today, Hockley said, her voice occasionally cracking as she spoke. At times it feels like only yesterday, and at others it feels like many years have passed. I expect him to crawl into bed beside me for early morning cuddles before school. Its so hard to believe hes gone. Im Anas mom, Nelba Márquez-Greene, whose 6-year-old was killed in the Dec. 14 shooting, said. A month ago I put two children on the bus, and only one came home. We choose love, belief and hope instead of anger, she continued. We choose love. Love wins. Love wins in Newtown. This is a promise to do everything in our power to be remembered not as the town filled with grief and victims but as a place where real change began, Márquez-Greene said. Doing nothing is no longer an option, noted Tom Bittman, co-founder of the initiative and a resident whose children once attended Sandy Hook School. We want to Newtown to be remembered for change, not tragedy.
Posted on: Fri, 22 Nov 2013 01:39:04 +0000
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