NEWTON, Conn. -- Nicole Hockley told the media and Newtown residents that she doesn't want to be the parent who has to comfort any future victims of gun violence.
Hockley was one of four parents of the 20 first-graders massacred a month ago at the Sandy Hook Elementary School who spoke Monday at the announcement of the Sandy Hook Promise group that has come together to urge a national dialogue on gun control, school safety and mental health solutions.
'I still find myself reaching for Dylan's hand to walk through a parking lot or expecting him to crawl into bed beside me for early morning cuddles,' Hockley said, her voice breaking.
Adam Lanza, 20, shot his way into the school on Dec. 14 with a Bushmaster AR-15 equipped with a high-capacity magazine and murdered six staff members after killing his mother in the home they shared. He took his own life as first responders rushed into the building.
'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,' Hockley said.
Hockley defined the mission of Sandy Hook Promise, which has 17 co-founders among residents of the town, as reaching out to a nation of communities to come together to transform the dialogue around violence in America.
'I don't know yet what the changes are. I come with no pre-conceived agenda. I do believe there
Several organizers spoke about the group, but it was the voices of the parents that were the most powerful at the meeting attended by dozens of reporters from across the country, as well as community members, in the basement of the Edmond Town Hall in the close-knit community of Newtown.
'My family chose to live here and we stand by our choice. One tragedy cannot undermine this town's spirit and love,' said Hockley, who predicted Newtown in coming years will be even stronger, 'a place that is helping to lead change and modeling the way a community should be.'
Nelba Marquez-Greene, mother of Ana Marquez-Greene, recalled sending two children to school on Dec. 14 and only one returning home.
'I pray that no mother no father ever has to go through this pain,' which she said was 'unbearable.'
Marquez-Greene, calling on her personal faith, said her family is choosing 'love' over 'hate' to honor Ana's life. 'Love wins. Love wins in Newtown and may love win in America Our hearts are broken. Our spirit is not and it is with this knowledge that we are able to move forward with purpose and strength.'
Unlike some of the national discussion that already is reflecting the standoff that has prevented a consensus on gun reform and better mental health access, Marquez-Greene outlined what Sandy Hook Promise is all about.
'This is a promise to be open to all possibilities,' Marquez-Greene said. 'There is no agenda other than to make our communities and our nation a safer place. This is a promise to have conversations on all the issues, conversations where listening is as important as speaking. Conversations where even those with the most opposing views debate in good will. This is a promise to turn conversation into actions. Things must change. This is the time.'
Tom Bittman, one of the founders, said Sandy Hook Promise pledges to find the financial assistance needed to offer support services for the victims' families, the first responders and others impacted by the tragedy for as long as they need it, while also working on grassroots solution to the bigger issues.
He said the dialogue needs to encompass equal parts 'love, compassion and common sense. Doing nothing -- doing nothing -- is no longer an option. We have let this happen too many times.' Bittman said it is a matter of thinking and acting 'differently.'
Bittman said the county has been 'stuck in a rut,' with no movement even as gun violence and mass killings have continued.
Bittman said it is not enough to pass a law, but each individual has to take responsibility with 'open minded dialogue.'
'We talk past each other. We repeat predictable rhetoric. We are hardened in our positions. We feel threatened. We don't listen,' he said.
Bittman said some of the members of Sandy Hook Promise are gun owners who hunt, engage in target shooting or have firearms for personal protection or are collectors.
'We are not afraid of a national conversation in our community and in Congress about responsibility and accountability,' said Bittman of the 'millions' who agree with him.
The co-founder said after guns, the nation needs a broad discussion about mental health and social behavior. 'Every single mass shooting in schools has been perpetrated by a very troubled young man.'
Jeremy Richman, the father of Avielle Richman, said the tragedy unfortunately could have happened in any community. 'It is our responsibility to be outraged,' he told the audience, as his wife, Jennifer Hensel, stood by his side.
In memory of their daughter, they are starting the Avielle Foundation 'to marry behavioral and biochemical mental health research to identify risk factors and measure the success of health interventions.'
Tim Makris, another spokesman for the group, in answer to a reporter's question, said they loved 'the focus of the president' and Biden's reaching out to those parents who wish to talk to him.
U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., who also represented Newtown as the six-year representative of the congressional 5th District, said he disagreed with the National Rifle Association's statement that it has the votes to defeat changes.
'It is the NRA's job to say what they have always said that the gun laws can't change in this country. The NRA is fundamentally out of step with where this country is after Sandy Hook and they frankly are out of step where their own members and gun owners are. Gun owners across this country don't think that you have to have 100-round magazines. They don't think that people should be exempt from background checks and I think this is a conversation that the NRA can't avoid,' the newly sworn-in senator said.
Murphy said it was important to have a forum to help guide the discussion and that is what Sandy Hook Promise can do. He said most of them are still feeling waves of grief and are not ready to push an agenda.
The senator said he is equally as focused on mental health reforms for those who need treatment. He said community treatment, versus large institutions are needed and that will factor into the budget discussions due in Congress.
'Newtown and Sandy Hook should be a challenge to us to make sure that when we balance budgets that we don't do it on the backs of the mental health system,' Murphy said.
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