All victims of violence from firearms will be acknowledged during a candlelit vigil in Falmouth at 6 p.m. on Dec. 14, the first anniversary of the 2012 tragedy in Newtown, Conn. that claimed 28 lives.
The Saturday evening vigil is being organized by the new group Falmouth Gathers for Peace and Responsibility, which is encouraging religious communities and other civic organizations to take part in the event at the Peg Noonan Park on Main Street beside the Falmouth Public Library.
“People of conscience have a duty to unite against the tragic and senseless violence that occurred last December at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown. Since that date, more than 30,000 lives have been lost due to firearms, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s statistics,” explained the Rev. Deborah Warner, Rector of the Church of the Messiah in Woods Hole.
Twenty children and six adult staff members were killed by a single young gunman after he took the life of his mother and before he took his own life last Dec. 14 in Newtown. Nationwide, approximately 100,000 people are killed or wounded due to gun violence every year.
“We are not opposed to the responsible use of firearms,” Warner said. “But we believe that the needless tragedies wrought on our society because of the accessibility and irresponsible use of guns has to end. Enough is enough.”
The Dec. 14 vigil will provide an opportunity for people to quietly and peacefully unite in reflection and prayer. It will not feature a program of formal speeches. Information about proposed gun-related legislation that addresses the issues of violence, responsibility and safety being considered by the Massachusetts Legislature will be available.
For further information, contact: The Rev. Deborah Warner, 508-259-1570, dwarner74@aol.com; or Bob Haskell, 774-392-4772, bhaskell48@gmail.com.