Community, legislators come out for Sandy Hook memorial vigil

Submitted by Elise Hauptman

More than 150 community members attended an event memorializing the fifth anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting on Dec. 14.

The North Suburban chapters of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America hosted the event which was held in Highland Park. Newtown, Connecticut, resident Samantha Kent spoke of how the tragedy affected her life. She had been a lifeguard and camp counselor in Newtown and knew many of the victims. Speakers addressed how gun violence touches every socio-economic group and every race, from suicide to domestic violence. It was noted that the number one cause of death of children is by accidental shootings, not illness. Attendees were reminded that 95 percent of the American public is in favor of background checks for gun owners.

Several state legislators were in attendance including attorney general candidates Nancy Rotering and Scott Drury, as well as State Reps. Julie Morrison, Jonathan Carroll and Julie Fine, and candidates Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz, Bob Morgan and Ra Joy.

The names of the Sandy Hook massacre victims were read as candles were lit for each, and an additional candle was lit in memory of the half-million victims of gun violence in the five years since that tragedy.

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