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Sandy Hook

Gun Violence Victims: “Too Many to Count, Too Many to Discuss, Too Many to Name”

June 8, 2019 by Grace Bennett

Wearing Orange in New Castle and Lamenting America’s Continuing Epidemic of Gun-Related Violence

Story and Photos By Grace Bennett

June 7, 2019–A group of public and school officials representing New Castle, gun violence prevention activists, clergy and dozens of residents gathered wearing orange for National Gun Violence Awareness Day inside the Chappaqua gazebo with a shared purpose: to report that America’s epidemic of gun violence persists and the toll on American lives has worsened since the horrific 2012 Sandy Hook murders, to lament the lack of action by federal government, and to remind everyone that gun violence can happen anywhere, and to urge everyone to keep rallying, that change is still possible. Public officials also took the occasion to remind that in New York State, while there has been significant progress at the state level here, it is not enough. The ease of access to guns across state lines remains a massive problem.

(L-R) State Assemblyman David Buchwald, Town of New Castle Board Members Lisa Katz and Ivy Pool, Leah Barth, New Castle United for Youth, New Castle Town Supervisor Robert Greenstein and New Castle Town Board member Jeremy Saland. 
Sheryl Manasse speaking on behalf of Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester. Manasse also belongs to Moms Demand Action.

The conversation inside the brightly lit gazebo often veered back to Sandy Hook, when 26 people, including 20 children between six and seven years old, and six adult staff members, were murdered, and the spike of gun-related violence in virtually every life arena since: “Too many to count, to many to discuss, too many to name,” said Chappaqua Sheryl Manasse, speaking on behalf of Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester and of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, after she read an excruciating list of specific sites and the murder count at each-about 100 Americans a day.  “What do they all have in common? Access to guns. Access makes a difference. We need to be clear, consistent and active.”

During the early evening event, officials also warmly acknowledged attendee Erin Fuller Brian, a survivor of the Las Vegas shooting, and Kelly Marx of Pleasantville, who was commended for having organized last year’s 9,000 person strong rally against gun violence which took place in White Plains.

Westchester County Executive George Latimer opened the forum pointing out that despite naysayers, an individual “who doesn’t have access to a gun in the first place can’t create as much havoc and mayhem. Rational people understand that,” he said, adding that town and regional governments do have some authority to make a difference. “I banned the gun show on the second day of my job,” Latimer stated to applause. But yet, the danger remains. “It’s a short hop to another state. You can hop to another state like Virginia, and in a few hours, have a trunk full of weaponry legally purchased. Anybody warped can get their hands on something that does carnage to someone else… In the meantime, we meet to remind ourselves that we are not alone.”

Westchester County Executive George Latimer said that the ease of gun access across state lines is a continuing challenge.

State Assemblyman David Buchwald reminded that yesterday’s gathering was taking place the day after the 75th anniversary of D-Day. He said he hoped to see a day in which “commemorations like these are to think about it as something that happened in the past, and to get to a point when gun violence is few and far between.”  He said “we can take some pride that in New York State has not been a source of many of these tragedies.” Buchwald pointed out that his first legislative vote as a State Assemblyman was for a measure he co-sponsored, the SAFE Act, passed in the wake of the Newtown school shooting. The SAFE Act has been described as the strongest gun safety legislation in the country. “Even with that law,” he said last night, “we have to do more.”*

New Castle Town Supervisor Robert Greenstein recalled Sandy Hook too and “the 20 helpless beautiful children gunned down.”  He asked that everyone gathered  “close their eyes and take ten seconds to think about Sandy Hook,”… and pointed out that for the parents of Sandy Hook, the pain never ends. “We need our eyes wide open to see the travesty happening all around us in churches, colleges, high schools, newsrooms, synagogues, music festivals, restaurants, and banks.  Since Sandy Hook, nothing has changed at the federal level… Americans, he noted, are 25 times more likely to be killed by by guns than in other high income countries.”

(L-R, speaking): Brandon and Sasha Litwin. Back row (L-R): Naomi Marrow of Moms Demand Action, Jeremy Saland, Lisa Katz and Reverend Martha Jacobson. Sasha spoke in memory of Alex Schachter who was murdered in the Parkland massacre.
Right, Mike Weinberg together with his son Joshua representing state Senator Peter Harckham.
Rand Manasse, Ivy Pool, Lisa Katz, and Sheryl Manasse

Two Greeley students and siblings, Sasha Litwin and Brandon Litwin, also spoke, Sasha in memory of Alex Schachter, who at age 14 was a Parkland victim, “an innocent young boy tragically killed at the expense of our soft gun laws,” she said. “I’m enraged that 100 Americans are killed with guns every day. I fear as a 16-year-old that my school will be affected by gun violence. We must push our legislators to make concrete changes in our gun laws… this  constant cycle of pain, fear and suffering has to end… I wear Alex’s name on my wrist to keep Alex’s name alive.” Brandon followed, stating that we must “not be afraid o make change, shy away or run.  Our current gun laws should be run over and trampled… 40,000 people deceased in 2018; that’s the highest number in the last five decades… this is info that can not be put aside. Wear your orange with pride.”

Chappaqua Central School District Superintendent Christine Ackerman (third from right), here with Chappaqua friends including Victoria Alzapiedi, first on the left. Chappaqua school board members Jane Shepardson and Warren Mesner were also thanked for attending during the evening as was Francesca Hogadus of the Mount Pleasant Town Board.

The final speaker was Reverend Martha Jacobson of Chappaqua’s First Congregational Church who said she bristled at the suggestion by someone who told her that gun violence was God’s fault. “We ourselves make that choice; we are not puppets. Thoughts and prayers are not enough; God does not do prayers, we do prayers.  God does not stand up against injustice. God requires that we stand up to injustice. No matter what you call God, or who you call God or even if you don’t believe in God, we as human beings are required to stand up… to exercise our responsibility to love our neighbors as ourselves. It is incumbent upon us to stand with those who are actively working to make a difference.” Rev. Jacobson also led those attending in singing Amazing Grace, after which she pointedly added:  “And may our lawmakers in Washington finally come to see.”

*Both Latimer and Buchwald said a wide variety of legislation pertaining to gun violence prevention has been either passed or is being heard in Albany. Buchwald has helped pass common sense gun measures that would ban bump stocks (A.9958), keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers and clearly identified dangerous individuals (A.5025, (A.8976-B and (A.9978) and establish longer waiting periods to ensure thorough background checks (A.2406). Buchwald is also a co-sponsor of legislation (A.563-A) to expand statewide Westchester County’s successful safe firearm storage law.
“The Assembly has taken meaningful action to address many of the causes of gun violence in our communities,” Buchwald stated in an earlier release. “We must keep guns out of the hands of dangerous individuals and those convicted of domestic violence crimes.”

From Congresswoman Nita Lowey’s Office:

“Barely 150 days into 2019, there have already been 150 mass shootings, most recently in Virginia Beach. Today is National Gun Violence Awareness Day, and while we’ve made some progress, we have a long way to go. In any given year, more than 120,000 Americans are shot and 17,000 children are injured or killed. Thirty-four people in America are murdered in acts of gun violence every single day. We are in the middle of a public health crisis, and Congress has a responsibility to act. That is why House Democrats passed H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019. This bill would expand background checks universally to make our communities stronger and safer. Now the Senate must pass this important, commonsense gun safety legislation. I will continue fighting for sensible gun violence prevention legislation, on National Gun Violence Awareness Day and every day, to keep our children and families safe.”

Today, Governor Andrew Cuomo directed that iconic buildings and structures across New York State be illuminated orange this evening to mark National Gun Violence Awareness Day.

Filed Under: New Castle News Tagged With: Commemoration, Gun Access, Gun Epidemic, gun violence, Moms Demand Action, National Gun Violence Awareness Day, Parkland, Preventing Gun Violence, Sandy Hook, Town of New Castle, Wear Orange

Sandy Hook Victim’s Mother Scarlett Lewis Explains to Students How Love Empowers

March 22, 2018 by The Inside Press

Sandy Hook Victim’s Mothers Scarlett Lewis Presented the Keynote Address at the 17th Annual Human Rights Institute held by the Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center

March 15, 2019, New Rochelle– Held at Iona College, The Human Rights Institute for High School Student Leaders promotes student awareness of human rights issues on both local and global levels, and empowers students to become Upstanders by creating and implementing Action Plans of their own.

Almost 500 high school students and 45 teachers from 44 high schools* attended.

Scarlett Lewis addressing students   Will Landin Photography

Millie Jasper, Executive Director of the Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center gave the opening remarks, followed by a rousing speech by Westchester County Executive George Latimer.

Scarlett Lewis, mother of Sandy Hook victim Jesse Lewis and founder of the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement, delivered the keynote speech.

“Scarlett Lewis emphasized the importance of empowering youth by choosing love over angry thoughts, inspiring bravery, and being an Upstander. This message reflects what we try to promote through our annual Human Rights Institute, to inspire students to make a difference and to take positive action for change,” said Julie Scallero, Co-Director of Education at The Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center.

The students then broke up into small groups to workshop key topics of interest such as DACA, the #MeToo movement, Human Trafficking and more.**

Will Landin Photography

Judith Altmann, Holocaust survivor and member of the Speakers Bureau at the Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center, also relayed her story of survival to the students.

Judith Altmann, Holocaust Survivor and member of the Speakers Bureau for the Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center   Will Landin Photography

The following Student Leader Awards were issued:
2018 Richard A. Berman Leadership Award to Elena Cohen of Somers High School
2018 Neil Ginsberg Student “Upstander” Award to Hannah Sophia Soloway of Walter Panas High School
2018 Andy Cahn Student “Community Service” Award to Anuk DeSilva of Walter Panas High School.

The Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center hosts the Institute to enhance the teaching and learning of the lessons of the Holocaust to support the right of all people to be treated with dignity and respect.

For more information please contact Millie Jasper, Executive Director, at (914) 696-0738 or mjasper@hhrecny.org.

 

George Latimer, Millie Jasper, Joseph Kaidanow

 

Filed Under: Inside Westchester Tagged With: awards, Choose Love, Event, Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center, Human Rights Institute, Jesse Lewis Choose Love, Sandy Hook, Scarlett Lewis, student leaders, upstanders

Scarlett Lewis to Deliver Keynote at HHREC’s March 15 Human Rights Institute

March 6, 2018 by The Inside Press

17th Annual Human Rights Institute
for High School Student Leaders
hosted by
The Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center

DATE: Thursday, March 15th, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

LOCATION: Iona College, New Rochelle

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

 

Sandy Hook Victim’s Mother, Scarlett Lewis,  will Present Keynote at Human Rights Institute for High School Student Leaders.  Lewis is Founder and Chief Movement Officer of the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement

Held annually, The Human Rights Institute for High School Student Leaders promotes student awareness of human rights issues on both local and global levels, and empowers students to become Upstanders by creating and implementing Action Plans of their own.

“Scarlett Lewis emphasizes the importance of empowering youth by choosing love over angry thoughts, inspiring bravery, and being an Upstander. This message reflects what we try to promote through our annual Human Rights Institute, to inspire students to make a difference and to take positive action for change,” said Julie Scallero, Co-Director of Education at The Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center.

The Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center hosts the Institute to enhance the teaching and learning of the lessons of the Holocaust to support the right of all people to be treated with dignity and respect.

Expected attendance includes 480 high school students and 45 teachers, from 44 high schools.*

Keynote Speakers Include:
Scarlett Lewis, Founder and Chief Movement Officer of the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement –
www.jessielewischooselove.org

Judith Altmann, Holocaust survivor and member of the Speakers Bureau at the Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center

Special Guests Include:
George Latimer, Westchester County Executive
Shelley Mayer, Assemblyperson

Student facilitators will lead small-group workshops on a wide-range of human rights issues.

Students and teachers implement Upstander programs during Upstander Week, May 21 – May 25, 2018, (as proclaimed by Westchester County Executive George Latimer).

Teachers will also participate in two workshops, one with our keynote speaker, Scarlett Lewis, and the second one with Judith Altmann, Holocaust survivor.

—

For more information please contact Millie Jasper, Executive Director at The Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center. mjasper@hhrecny.org

 

Filed Under: Inside Westchester Tagged With: Holocaust and Human Rights, Human Rights Institute, Jesse Lewis Choose Love, mother, Sandy Hook, Scarlett Lewis, student leaders, upstanders, victim

Newtown Film Captures Community Pain — and Resilience

July 28, 2016 by The Inside Press

(L-R): Daniel’s parents, Mark and Jackie Barden; filmmakers, Kim Snyder and Maria Cuomo Cole; Congressman David Price, Vice Chair of the House Democrats' Gun Violence Prevention Task Force. A panel discussion followed the screening of "Newtown," which was moderated by Hunter Schwarz, National political reporter, Independent Journal Review.
(L-R): Daniel’s parents, Mark and Jackie Barden; filmmakers, Kim Snyder and Maria Cuomo Cole; Congressman David Price, Vice Chair of the House Democrats’ Gun Violence Prevention Task Force. A panel discussion followed the screening of “Newtown,” which was moderated by Hunter Schwarz of the Independent Journal Review.

By Grace Bennett

Philadelphia, July 27 — When a parent who lost a child to the Sandy Hook massacre speaks of the need for us all to move forward, it is impossible not to feel your own resolve turn to steel.

The Bardens lost their six year old son Daniel, one of 20 first grade children and six educators gunned down on December 14, 2012 by Adam Lanza, who had easy access to military style assault weaponry in his home.

It seemed the entire world mourned and the surviving families where inundated with letters, drawings, etc.. But despite the intense outpouring, a raw pain still plagues the survivors interviewed; and some feel ready to reconcile that it may be an impossible one to erase. The parents describe how they struggle to maintain connections to the very spirit of their children, who live on inside them. One mother pointed to a room full of boxes of the letters and gifts that she is just starting to look at three years later. “We go on for the (surviving) children,” who are “miraculously still smiling and playing,” another parent related.

The movie’s powerful impact was not via graphic descriptions of what transpired in the classroom where the children died but rather achieved by conveying the intense pain and conflicting emotions–and also the dreams…the dreams…ones in which their children are still alive or one mother’s dream that she died holding her child (“at least I could be with him”). An emotional roller coaster may best describe the daily lives and consciousness of the survivors, surviving neighbors, siblings and good friends, and of the community at large.

Newtown FullSizeRenderFilmed over the course of three years, the filmmakers were granted unique access. There was never before heard testimony to depict the aftermath of the 2012 deadliest mass shooting of of school children in U.S. history. In Newtown, 12/14 is a day that changed…everything. But many, like the Bardens, continue to fight the gun lobby through the efforts of www.weareallNewtown.org and other advocacy groups, members of which were in attendance too.

“We are hoping for a ripple effect from this film,” commented Newtown’s director Kim Snyder. “We are using the film to reframe gun violence as a public health issue.”
Producer Maria Cuomo Cole called Newtown a “metaphor for what has happened to communities around the country. The unfortunate series of events since…people are scared in an unprecedented way.”

“I don’t see how anyone can see this film without being moved,” said Congressman David Price, vice chair of the House Democrats’ Gun Violence Prevention Task Force. The issues surrounding gun prevention violence, he said, “have become a front and center, major presidential issue.”

Indeed, President Obama addressed gun violence in his speech last night, and his heartbreaking feelings of helplessness following Sandy Hook in particular. The issue–and a promise to never quit fighting the NRA–has been a prominent part of the Hillary Clinton campaign in her bid to be elected president.

Mark Barden urges everyone to get involved and described how he and his wife became “accidental advocates. I’m not proud that it took the loss of our little Daniel. Like so many Americans, we were disengaged. Now we will do whatever we can to prevent others from experiencing this kind of pain.”

Filed Under: 2016 DNC Tagged With: gun violence, Mark Barden, Newtown documentary, Sandy Hook

Serving Sandy Hook Families

April 24, 2013 by The Inside Press

Abresha Sinanaj
Abresha Sinanaj

“I would do it again in a heartbeat if it would help these families heal.”  Those words come from Abresha Sinanaj, an Ardsley-based mother of three kids (ages 16, 14 and 9) and a busy manager/host and spouse of one owner at Benjamin Steakhouse in White Plains.

Abresha and the partners of this relative newcomer to Westchester had generously arranged for 26 gift certificates to be donated to the family members of the victims lost.  It was part of a love filled winter evening in which many Westchester moms gathered at Benjamin’s to raise an additional $1,828 in donations for The Sandy Hook School Support Fund. The donations were presented to honorary guest Robert Merola, Legislative Council Member of Newtown, CT.

Since that evening, one of the families from Sandy Hook has come to dine at Benjamin’s.  “The one family who did come wrote to us telling us they felt like they were treated like royalty,” she said. She recalled one of the parents telling her that their young daughter’s favorite food was steak. “That was heartbreaking for me to hear but we were also so glad we could provide a pleasant evening out.”

Abresha said that providing the gift cards was a small gesture in her view, and she is hopeful more of the families will come to dine at Benjamin’s when they feel ready.  “I live in a small community too and simply can not imagine these terrible losses. Sandy Hook has become my community too.  As a mother, I feel a connection to all the parents there and it was extremely painful to hear about precious young lives lost. I wish the families their continued healing and we are here to still offer a fine, complimentary meal.” For Mother’s Day, especially, Abresha stated that she hopes Benjamin Steakhouse will  have the honor of serving another family from Sandy Hook.

“We are here.”  –Grace Bennett 


Filed Under: Westchester Tagged With: Benjamin's Restaurant, gift certificate, Sandy Hook

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