The Newtown Interfaith Council and the Newtown Action Alliance hosted a vigil last night to stand with the community in Texas, where a school shooting took the lives of 19 children and two teachers.  The vigil took place at Trinity Episcopal Church on Main Street in Newtown.

Reverend Matthew Crebbin of Newtown Congregational Church, who was one of about 10 speakers during the evening, said while the tragedy occurred in Texas, the sorrow can be felt in every community, everywhere.  He said they all weep together as one people, for all of the dear ones who have been lost, no matter if they came from Texas or Buffalo, Newtown or Hartford, Bridgeport or Tuscan, Oak Creek or Oakland, Littleton or Virginia Tech, Nickel Mines or New York City.

Jordan Gomes, who was a 9-year old student at Sandy Hook School on 12/14,  said she doesn't want to accept living in America where kids can go to school with the fear of never seeing their parents again, watching their friends pass away.

Participants then marched to the Newtown headquarters of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the trade association for the firearms industry.  Director of Public Affairs Mark Oliva says they are heartbroken over the news.  He notes that the organization has long advocated – and will continue to advocate – for ideas to prevent unauthorized access to firearms by criminals, the dangerously mentally ill, children and others who cannot be trusted to handle firearms in a safe and responsible manner.