December 14, 2017 is the five year anniversary of the heartbreaking Sandy Hook shooting of 20 innocent children and 6 educators. 500,000 Americans have been killed or injured by guns since then.
Our Grinnell Vigil is one of hundreds scheduled in towns throughout America in memory of the Newtown 26 and others whose lives are being shattered by gun violence. Visit the Newtown Action Alliance for more information on the nationwide network of vigils.
Following the 'remembrance' portion of the vigil, we will feature three local speakers: Dr. JR Paulson, a member of the new mental health consortium; a student speaker who was raised in town; and Pastor Dondrea Walker. Our keynote speaker, Amber Gustafson, is a founding advocate for Moms Demand Action and a candidate for the Iowa State Senate from Ankeny. All will lend their voices to this urgent call for action.
Please join our neighbors in peace to remember, and seek solutions. Please feel free to bring candles (we will have them also); and remember to dress warmly.
Too Many String Band will close the Vigil.