We are sorry to the victims of Sandy Hook . We will never forget and we will improve Gun Laws and safety . Please share for awareness and support for the Sandy Hook Victims !

1. Background
December 14th, 2015 is the third anniversary of the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in
Newtown, Connecticut. Over the past three years, other terrible incidents have repeatedly and tragically
been in the news, but gun violence isn’t limited to a few high-profile events. Every year, 30,000 people
are killed by a gun in this country. Congress has failed to act, but we are making progress on this issue.
Vast majorities of Americans support common-sense gun safety legislation, and we have passed
important measures at the state level. But we must do more to show our dedication to this issue, and to
ensure that it is no longer ignored.
Our partners at the Newtown Foundation are hosting vigils across the country in the days leading up the
anniversary -- to show our solidarity with the victims and families who have been affected by gun
violence, and recommit ourselves to working to end gun violence in America.
Before The Event
Pick a Date and Time -- Our partners at the Newtown foundation are hosting events between December
10th and 14th. Pick a date for your event within that range. Choose a time when it will be dark enough
for all of the candles to have an impact, but not so late at night that participants of all ages would have
trouble attending.
Choose a Location -- Choose a location that is a meaningful meeting place in the community (the site of
an instance of gun violence, a school, a community center or town square). Your location should be easy
to find for participants from all over town. Have an indoor option available in case of bad weather, and if
your event is in a public space, make sure to check to see if you need permit before holding your event.
Plan your Program/Action -- Choose an action that will serve to remember the victims of Newtown: light
candles, share stories with other community members, read the names of the victims. Choose a master
of ceremonies who will keep things running smoothly and address the crowd. This could be you or
someone you designate.
Recruit Attendees -- Start recruiting for your event, keeping in mind that you should get commitments
from about twice as many people as you’d like to attend (for example, if your attendance goal is 15
attendees, you should strive to get RSVPs from 30 people). This is based on typical attendance rates for
events. Make a confirmation call to everyone who RSVPs and send them a reminder email the day
before the event is scheduled to take place.
Post Your Event Online -- Post your event online using the OFA events tool:
● Events posted in advance of the lock date will be eligible for email support. The lock date is:
Friday, December 4th.
● Instructions:

2. ○ Go to https://my.barackobama.com/page/event/create
○ Enter the ZIP code of the location where your event will take place
○ Choose “Gun Violence Prevention -- Action Event” from the drop-down menu
○ Enter your email and choose a password to create a barackobama.com account (or sign
in if you already have an account)
○ Enter your event details. Be sure to add all the relevant information. Below is some
basic language you can use to let attendees know what to expect at the event:
○ Event type: Gun Violence Prevention -- Action Event
○ Title: Newtown Anniversary Vigil to #EndGunViolence
○ Suggested Description: Three years ago, the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary
School in Newtown Connecticut shocked the country, and highlighted the need to
#EndGunViolence in America. Across the country, OFA supporters and partner
organizations are gathering to show our dedication to preventing more Americans being
impacted by this terrible problem. Join us for a vigil remembering the 30,000 people
that are killed by a gun every year, and victims of
○ If your event includes speakers or special guests: “We will be joined by: [FIRST AND LAST
NAME], [TITLE], from [OTHER ORGANIZATION].”
● The Newtown Foundation is also tracking events, and may send additional materials, so please
also register your event here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1_ZBHUjmakfpv9IgjE5julAaEX-
Zy2SWs3GMGhZDrqQM/viewform
Gather Your Materials -- Make sure you have candles and a way to light them on hand. You can also ask
attendees to bring candles, but have some spares on hand for anyone who forgets to bring one. You
should also make your signs (see sign guidance below), and print other materials, like sign-in sheets.
Some great signs would include:
● #EndGunViolence
● We Remember
● Gun violence affects all of us
During The Event
Event Fundamentals -- Make sure you are signing in all attendees, sharing the hashtag for the event --
#EndGunViolence -- that you are on-time, and that you are following your program.
Suggested Program -- The Newtown Foundation has several recommendations for parts of your
program. Their guidance is included here:
● Introduction (5 minutes)

3. ● Host gives remarks about Vigil (5 minutes) (see below)
● If possible we ask that you incorporate 50 candles (real or battery operated tea candles) into
your vigil. These will represent all the 50 US states that are affected by gun violence. The
candles can be lit before the vigil begins or as part of the gathering. If every person gathered
will also have a candle, then the host can light the first candle and have volunteers go out to
light other candles (or have people hold up flashlights) in support of bringing light and change
into the dark shadow of gun violence in America.
● IV. Main Program (30 minutes)
○ If you have a main speaker, he or she can offer words or reflections - or you can have
different faith leaders offer prayers for those affected by gun violence. If you are
willing then please make sure to include the following points:
○ We gather today (this weekend) with others across the country in EVERY state to call
attention to the impact of gun violence upon all of our communities.
○ We pledge ourselves to make a difference by remembering those who have been lost
and committing ourselves to helping our local community promote gun safety.
○ We call upon our local, state and national leaders to promote policies and legislation
that will reduce the impact of gun violence upon all of our communities.
○ We urge unqualified support of expanded background checks, essential legislation
endorsed by an overwhelming majority of Americans.
○ We need to remember that gun violence affects all of us -- urban, suburban, rural,
rich, poor, young, and old.
○ We need you to reflect on the fact that since the Newtown massacre, there have
been 60,000 gun deaths in this country.
● Host leads the ringing of a bell for 1 minute – to remember all who have been affected by gun
violence – those who have been killed, those who have been wounded and those who are
grieving and those who have been witnesses – as well as entire communities traumatized by
gun violence.
● Closing Remarks or Prayer
Photographs and Digital Media -- Take great pictures! Documenting these events and sharing them over
social media is crucial to making sure these events have as big an impact as possible. Suggestions for
photos:

4. ● Supporters with candles
● Supporters lighting candles
● Supporters Signing in and greeting each other
● Tight shot of supporters at the vigil
● A group shot with your signs
● Candid shot of supporters with signs.
Make sure you are using the hashtag #EndGunViolence and #OFAction in all of your posts on Facebook
and Twitter. You will probably be taking photos in low-light conditions, so make sure you lend as much
light to your subjects as possible and do your best to avoid blurry photos. You can even rest your camera
or phone on something solid to ensure you get a clear shot.
After The Event
Event Fundamentals -- Thank your guests for participating, and invite them to your next event, or to do a
one-on-one meeting to see how they might want to get more involved. If you haven’t already, post
photos on social networks using #EndGunViolence and #OFAction. This is essential for helping spread
the message beyond the immediate network of attendees -- this is how to keep the conversation going
and enable others to participate, too.
Reporting -- It’s important that we are able to tell the story of your organizing as part of our broader
movement, so report on your event on the Gun Violence Prevention National Group on Connect.