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January 15, 2013

Newtown Parents, Survivors Unveil Initiative Against Gun Violence 
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On Monday, the Newtown massacre's one-month anniversary, a group of
parents of Newtown victims and surviving students unveiled a new
initiative to tackle gun violence and mental illness in the United
States. Grieving parents Nicole Hockley and Jeremy Richman, as well as
the group's co-founder, Tim Makris, described the Sandy Hook Promise as
an effort to spark a national conversation on how to prevent future
tragedies.

Nicole Hockley, Mother of Victim Dylan Hockley: "I do not want to be
someone sharing my experience and consoling another parent next time. I
do not want there to be a next time. The Sandy Hook Promise is the start
of our change."

Jeremy Richman, Father of Victim Avielle Richman: "We need to face and
take action on hard issues. There is not going to be one simple
solution. But we feel it is essential to get a deeper understanding of
mental health in terms of research, education and policy."

Tim Makris, Co-founder of Sandy Hook Promise: "When you look at what has
been done in the past, it hasn't gotten us very far. We have to do
something different. And we believe a national discussion putting aside
preconceived notions will have us move forward as a nation."

 

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