Newtown ‘LoveToLasVegas’ Candle Light Vigil & Rally to End Gun Violence, was Held in Front of National Shooting Sports Foundation HQ

Report by Paula Antolini
October 4, 2017 7:04PM EDT

 

Newtown ‘LoveToLasVegas’ Candle Light Vigil & Rally to End Gun Violence, was Held in Front of National Shooting Sports Foundation HQ

The Newtown Action Alliance (NAA) was joined by two other groups on October 4, 2017, Moms Demand Action and Sandy Hook Promise, for a “LoveToLasVegas” candle light vigil and rally to end gun violence.  The event was held at 5-7 p.m. in front of the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) headquarters, in response to the Las Vegas, Nevada massacre that occurred on October 1, 2017.

Gunman Stephen Craig Paddock killed 58 people and injured 527 with high powered automatic weapons (converted from semi-automatic to automatic using a bump kit) used from a vantage point on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Resort and Casino, then killed himself as SWAT reams reached his location.  Paddock fired on a crowd of 22,000 concert-goers as they attended the Route 91 Harvest Festival.  Shots rang out at pproximately 10:08 p.m. when country singer Jason Aldean was on stage.

Po Murray was at the vigil, Chairwoman of the Newtown Action Alliance, a grassroots organization formed in 2012 after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting on December 14, 2012, where 6 adults and 20 children were killed. The group was at the rally to continue the fight against gun violence. Murray said,“Our hearts are broken for the families, the victims and the communities of Las Vegas and we send our thoughts and prayers.  That’s why we’re here, to support Las Vegas.  And at the same time we believe that prayers are not enough.  We’re here in front of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the second strongest gun lobby in the nation, to rally and to demand action to end gun violence. We need more Americans to demand action from their legislators and the president to make sure that these types of mass shootings and daily gun violence do not occur because there’s more that can be done.” 

 

VIDEO BELOW: View more of Po Murray’s statement about the Las Vegas tragedy and gun violence.

 

 

A banner that read “From the Newtown Action Alliance, Love to Las Vegas” was placed on a table at the rally and attendees wrote messages on it.  Murray said the NAA has sister groups all over the country and this banner will be sent to one in Las Vegas.

 

VIDEO BELOW: Vigil attendees sign the banner that will be sent to Las Vegas.

 

 

VIDEO BELOW: Officials from the Newtown Action Alliance hold the banner partially full of sentiments of good wishes, that will be eventually sent to Las Vegas.

 

 

VIDEO BELOW: A look at the candle light vigil and rally group lined up in front of the NSSR headquarters.

 

 

 

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The Newtown Action Alliance issue this message this week:

Our hearts are broken for the families of the 59 victims who have been senselessly massacred and 527 victims who have been injured. There is a long road ahead for the Las Vegas community and the families who have been directly impacted by this horrendous act of domestic terrorism. We send our love and support.

Many of you have asked what can be done.

We believe thoughts and prayers are not enough! We must also demand action to #EndGunViolence.

Please join us at National Shooting Sports Foundation at 11 Mile Hill Road in Newtown on Wednesday, October 4th from 5-7pm to honor the victims who have been impacted by the senseless domestic terrorist attack that happened on Oct. 1st in Las Vegas, NV.

You will be able to sign our #LoveToLasVegas banner to send our love & support; rally against the gun industry’s relentless efforts to weaken our gun laws in our nation; and demand action from the President and the 115th Congress.

 

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VIEW WHAT RALLY ATTENDEES HAD TO SAY ABOUT GUN VIOLENCE:

 

 

 

A message on the website of the NSSF reads, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of all those killed and injured in the criminal attack in Las Vegas.”  Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of more than 12,000 manufacturers, distributors, firearms retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations and publishers. Their mission is, “To promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports.”

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VIEW MORE PHOTOS OF THE VIGIL & RALLY BELOW:

Click on each photo to view larger.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo: Po Murray (left), Chair of the Newtown Action Alliance, lights candles at the vigil.

 

 

 

 

 

Photo: Po Murray (left), Chair of the Newtown Action Alliance, lights candles at the vigil.

 

 

 

 

Photo: Po Murray (center), Chair of the Newtown Action Alliance, holds a candle at the vigil.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo: Po Murray (second from left), Chair of the Newtown Action Alliance, stands at the rally.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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