The Newtown Foundation (TNF), a local nonprofit organization formed in response to the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School, December 14, 2012, hosted more than 125 people at a breakfast fundraiser on Saturday, September 12, at Rock Ridge Country Club in Newtown. The event benefited the Third Annual National Vigil for All Victims of Gun Violence, scheduled to take place in Washington, DC, on Wednesday, December 9, at St Mark’s Episcopal Church.

The National Vigil brings together people from across the nation, as well as gun violence survivors and victims, to honor the more than 30,000 lives lost to gun violence each year in the United States. Additional vigils are scheduled to take place in other locations across the country, December 9, and in all 50 states December 10-14.

As guests greeted one another prior to the start of the program, a solemn reminder of why they were gathered played out on a large screen at the front of the dining room. There, face after face of victims of gun violence flashed by, some more familiar to those in the room than others.

Po Murray, chairman of Newtown Action Alliance (NAA), a grassroots organization dedicated to reducing gun violence, welcomed guests and honored speakers Newtown First Selectman Pat Llodra, Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty, Senator Chris Murphy, Senator Richard Blumenthal, and keynote speaker Dr Daniel Webster, director of the Hopkins Center for Gun Policy & Research Center for the Prevention of Youth Violence. She also gave thanks to the families of victims, survivors, “and advocates for what we do” for attending the breakfast.

“We are working to create a safer America for all of us,” said Ms Murray, and thanks to the support of many present, the NAA is able to lobby in Washington, DC, for improved gun laws. “We’ve walked many miles in the halls of Congress… asking for change,” she said.

The NAA works to unite victims nationwide at the National Vigil each year, Ms Murray said. Previous years’ National Vigils have been hosted by the National Cathedral. This year’s venue will bring the event closer to Capitol Hill, where it is hoped to draw legislators.

Pain, passion, and “lots of ideas” drive NAA and the foundation to support the National Vigil, said Ms Murray.

“We want to change the culture by continuing to shine a light on the epidemic of gun violence in our nation,” and provide an opportunity for all anti-gun violence groups to work together, she said.

“Showing up in DC is important to do this. We need to continue to have a presence, and that will require more citizens like us… Many of you here today are doing that with every event… with every trip we make to DC. We set out to change hearts and minds,” said Ms Murray. “We will do that.”

In addressing the group, Mrs Llodra mentioned key goals of the Newtown Foundation and NAA, such as education, positive cultural change, healing, outreach, and community “that speak to me intellectually and personally.”

In her lifetime, said Mrs Llodra, she can think of many who have fought for cultural change.

“These battles are not over,” she said, but reminded those present that great strides have been made. Those who first sought to obtain similar goals to make changes are “early sisters of this foundation,” she said.

“Change really can occur. What it takes is persistence of effort,” Mrs Llodra said, and far-sightedness. “Most enduring changes in societal structure are organic,” she observed. “We can be the engine for change. Thank you, Foundation, for leading us on that journey.”

Also speaking at Saturday’s breakfast was Tom Sullivan, the father of 27-year-old Alex Sullivan, who died in the Aurora, Colo., movie theater shooting, July 20, 2012. (See separate story.)

Mr Sullivan spoke of his son’s life and death, as well as his feelings about the trial for his son’s murderer that recently ended with multiple life sentences for the shooter. He also addressed his search “for where I fit in” after his son’s death.

In February 2013, he said, he sat in the gallery of the Colorado legislature, “and listened to gun bills brought up.” He was there when bills were passed for background checks on all gun sales and limiting clips to a maximum of 15 rounds.

“I knew my work had just begun,” Mr Sullivan said, and he has since been active in promoting support for sensible gun laws.

“I met in Washington, DC, with my new friends from NAA, and walked the halls of the Capitol. Voices can be heard. A change is in the air,” he said.

Meeting with new friends from across the nation has made this chapter in his life more bearable, even as he sadly welcomes in new family members.

“I’m working to see that no others take this journey with us. We have become a family, and that sense comes together at the annual National Vigil,” Mr Sullivan said. “It helps to end the year knowing I am on the right path.”

Enough Moments Of Silence

Senator Chris Murphy looked out over the many tables of supporters and said that he found it heartwarming to see so many “dedicated to this fight.”

That gun lobbyists had spent decades building support became obvious to him on that April day in 2013 when legislators failed to pass the strengthened gun laws that families of gun violence — and Americans across the country — wanted, he said.

Short-term and long-term solutions goals must be found to prevent gun violence, Sen Murphy said, so that in five or ten years, the anti-gun violence lobby is twice as strong as the gun lobby.

“I believe that Congress has become complicit in these [gun violence] murders,” said Sen Murphy. “People do watch what we do and don’t do. They take cues from what we endorse or don’t endorse,” he stated. People “on the fringes” see Congress as endorsing inaction, he warned.

Sen Murphy also made it clear that he believes there is no appreciative link between mental illness and gun violence, but that conversation must occur about how badly the mental health system is broken. Fixing that is part of a comprehensive answer to society’s ills.

His spirited talk brought people to their feet, applauding Sen Murphy as he left the floor.

“This green jacket is not a Master’s jacket,” said Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty, as she stepped up to the podium, tugging at the Kelly green blazer she wore. “It’s a Sandy Hook jacket, which sadly, I have to wear so much that the buttons are falling off.

“Today,” she said, “we are honoring those who never give up. We can’t afford to get discouraged. Lives depend on our staying the course,” said Rep Esty. There is an epidemic of gun violence and a public health crisis, she said, but it is possible to stop them. How democracy works, she said, is that “we don’t give up. This is how we get change. I know your passion prevails.”

There have been enough moments of silence.

“It is time for hours of action,” she urged the breakfast diners.

Taking the floor and thanking “the heroes here today,” Sen Blumenthal noted that “The greatest, strongest country loses 30,000 to gun violence each year,” from suicide, homicide, and accidents in homes. “None are spared the terrific toll of lives taken by gun violence,” he said, but every one is preventable. Gun laws work.

“We have an obligation to do something about it,” Sen Blumenthal said, referring to his colleagues in Congress. There are “simple, straightforward laws that can save lives,” he said, and which should be introduced.

“I am heartened and encouraged by what you are doing here… to counter the enormous political weight of the NRA [National Rifle Association],” said Sen Blumenthal. As had Rep Esty, he urged his audience to turn silence to voices.

“Your representatives are committed to this cause,” the senator promised. “We will not falter and we will not forget. If we stand strong, the world will come around to us… We will never give up.”

Strategies That Work

Keynote speaker Dr Webster, in addition to being director of the Hopkins Center for Gun Policy & Research Center, has published numerous articles on the prevention of gun violence, firearm policy, youth gun acquisition and carrying, and intimate partner violence, according to information from The Newtown Foundation.

“Dr Webster is currently leading studies evaluating the effects of various efforts to reduce violence, including state gun and alcohol policies, policing strategies focused on deterring gun violence, a community gun violence prevention initiative, and Maryland’s Lethality Assessment Program for reducing the recurrence of intimate partner violence. He teaches courses in violence prevention and research methods for health policy at Johns Hopkins, and serves on the executive committee of Johns Hopkins’ Interdepartmental Violence Research Pre- and Post-Doctoral Training Program.”

On Saturday, Dr Webster noted the impact 12/14 had had on the country and the world.

His job is to conduct rigorous scientific research, but “I’m not going to spin statistics and numbers,” he said. “We’ve become numb to this problem… more violence seems inevitable… reform seems not encouraging,” Dr Webster said. What numbers cannot show, are the acts of gun violence that are prevented.

“Your won’t read in papers how a dangerous person was blocked from getting a gun,” preventing some horrific act, he said.

“What you’re working for will save lives. There are strategies that work,” he told the attentive group.

Rapidly pulling together the best scholars “from the ends of the earth,” beginning the day after 12/14, Dr Webster and his colleagues were able, within a month, to hand to every member of Congress recommendations that could prevent tragedies.

Congress did not act in Newtown’s favor, he said, but a number of state legislatures did act. “Since 12/14, half of the population [of the United States] is living in a state that strengthened gun laws… meaningful laws,” Dr Webster said.

High standards and high accountability work to make a difference.

“Research shows,” he said, “that when you raise standards, there is less violence.”

Accountability begins with comprehensive background checks, he stated. The key link for underground people getting guns is the gun store owner, Dr Webster said.

Connecticut’s 1995 laws requiring background checks for gun dealers and purchaser licenses are linked to a 40 percent reduction in gun violence and 15 percent reduction in gun suicides over a ten-year period. When Missouri repealed background checks, there was a 25 percent increase in homicides [by gun] and suicide rates increased by 16 percent. Those different results mean life and death for many, he said.

“There is a growing body of evidence: while it seems criminals never obey laws and still get guns, that does not line up with data,” Dr Webster said.

Do not let the NRA change the conversation, he urged.

“Let the conversation be about what can we do to save lives? We need to bring gun owners into this battle… NRA wants this to be us against them,” said Dr Webster. “They cannot win. We are building bridges to save lives,” he said.

Honoring With Action

The speakers gave supporters of the morning’s event much to contemplate, but before the morning ended, Ms Murray returned to the podium to present Honor With Action Awards/Certificates of Recognition from Sen Blumenthal to ten recipients. The Honor With Action Awards are a tribute to people who have worked on many levels to bring about changes for gun violence prevention.

Honored on Saturday morning were Tom Sullivan for his participation in the National Vigils; and members of the family of 12/14 victim Victoria Soto, Donna Soto, her mother, Jillian Soto, and Matthew Soto. Mrs Soto has set up the Vicki Soto Memorial Fund; Jillian has been working with numerous GVP (gun violence prevention) groups to end gun violence; and Matthew is a member of the Jr Newtown Action Alliance and has traveled to Washington, DC, numerous times to advocate for change.

Also honored was Gilles Rousseau, father of 12/14 victim and teacher Lauren Rousseau, who has been working with numerous GVP organizations. He and his wife have participated in the National Vigil.

Tyrek Marquez and his mother September Chatfield of New Britain received recognition. Tyrek was a 7-year-old bystander at Hartford’s West Indian Day Parade, in 2008, when he was shot in the head. He has traveled to Washington, DC, numerous times to advocate for change. Ms Chatfield is NAA’s urban community outreach director.

Warren Hardy, Jr, of Hartford is a team leader at the Connecticut Center for Nonviolence and Peacebuilders with Compass Youth Collaborative.

Tom Campbell from Danbury lost his father to gun violence. He works to #HonorWithAction as a board member of NAA/TNF and also leads the Brady Chapter in the greater Danbury area.

Sandy Hook teacher and 12/14 survivor Abbey Clements works to #HonorWithAction with Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, and led the Sandy Hook Teachers for Gun Sense group.

Marie Delus, New York City, and a US Marine Corp veteran, lost her nephew to gun violence in Queens. She works with Moms Demand Action and advocates for change.

Also from New York City, Donna Dees-Thomases was the tenth recipient of the Honor With Action Award. Ms Dees-Thomases is founder of the Million Moms March, which drew 750,000 people in Washington, DC, on Mother’s Day, 15 years ago. Million Moms March is now part of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.

In closing, Ms Murray thanked all present “for fighting for gun sense. We’re in it,” she said, “to win it.”