Newtown Action Alliance recently received a donation from Representative Elizabeth Esty.

The organization received $50,000, by way of a check written December 18 from The Friends Of Elizabeth Esty account, to expand efforts to further engage youth in the gun violence prevention program.

Additionally, in the letter accompanying the check, Ms Esty asked that the donation be “utilized to equipping young people to become more politically engaged and to effectively elevate their important voices at a critical time in the debate over gun safety,” as well as to help all “young people of more challenging economic means to be able to participate...”

Po Murray, chairwoman of Newtown Action Alliance stated, “Representative Esty was not yet sworn into 114th Congress when the Sandy Hook tragedy devastated our community. She has always supported Newtown Action Alliance’s efforts to engage the youth in our community in efforts to end gun violence in America. We share her vision of providing more resources to elevate the voices of young people with limited economic means in their communities. We look forward to continuing to work with Rep Esty and the students from Jr Newtown Action Alliance to expand the youth program in Connecticut and beyond.”

Representative Esty stated, “I am so grateful and proud of the work that the Newtown Action Alliance has done over the past six years to educate and activate citizens to take action to prevent gun violence. With a new wave of student activism against gun violence spurred by the Parkland shootings this past year, Jr Newtown Action Alliance has taken a leading role in advocating for and training youth leaders in this important work. I am honored to be able to continue to work with them and support their efforts with this gift.”

Tommy Murray, co-chair of Jr Newtown Action Alliance stated, “I first met Representative Esty in sixth grade immediately after the Sandy Hook tragedy. She stood by us as we learned to use our voices to advocate for common sense gun laws. She attended our vigil at Newtown High School after the Parkland mass shooting incident, and attended our town halls and participated in our roundtable discussions on gun violence prevention. We are very grateful for her support for all these years and we are honored to continue to work with her.”

Newtown Action Alliance is a Newtown-based, national grassroots organization formed after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings. Its mission is to achieve the steady and continuous reduction of gun violence through legislative and cultural changes.