Newtown, Connecticut – It has been over a decade since the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School that claimed the lives of twenty students and six staff members. The survivors of this horrific event have now reached a significant milestone as they graduate from high school.
The private ceremony, held at Newtown High School, brought together around 60 survivors who shared a complex mix of emotions about this bittersweet moment. Emma Ehrens, one of the survivors, vividly recalled the harrowing experience of witnessing the shooter take the lives of her friends and teachers when she was just six years old. Another survivor, Lilly Wasilnak, expressed a mix of anticipation and sorrow as she acknowledged the absence of their fellow classmates who were lost in the tragic incident.
In the aftermath of the Sandy Hook shooting, a number of survivors have dedicated themselves to advocating for gun control measures. Recently, some survivors had the opportunity to meet Vice-President Kamala Harris at the White House as they continue their efforts to push for change.
Former US President Barack Obama, who referred to the shooting as the darkest day of his presidency, proposed a series of gun control laws following the tragedy. Despite bipartisan support, these laws, which included a ban on assault rifles and expanded background checks for private gun sales, failed to pass Congress.
Since the Sandy Hook shooting, the United States has witnessed over 4,200 mass shootings, underscoring the ongoing issue of gun violence in the country. The survivors of this tragic event continue to amplify their voices, advocating for stricter gun control measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.