Newtown Action Alliance Endorses Joe Biden for President

For Immediate Release

March 9, 2020

Press Contact:
John Kelley
917-679-6475
jkelley@newtownaction.org

Newtown Action Alliance Endorses Joe Biden for President  

Newtown, CT- Newtown Action Alliance, a grassroots gun violence prevention organization formed after the Sandy Hook shooting tragedy, endorses Vice President Joe Biden for President of the United States of America.  

“Vice President Joe Biden's support for gun violence prevention has never wavered. He has a long history of supporting gun control measures and fighting the NRA even when it was not popular for Democrats to do so. After a gunman used an AR-15 and high capacity magazines to kill 20 children and six educators at Sandy Hook Elementary School, President Barack Obama asked the Vice President to lead the task force on gun violence prevention. Mr. Biden subsequently presented a set of comprehensive policies to end gun violence.

“It’s not by accident that, in 2020, every Democratic presidential nominee has adopted a bold and comprehensive platform on gun violence prevention—including background checks, an assault weapons ban, and limits on high capacity magazines,” said Po Murray, Chairwoman of Newtown Action Alliance and neighbor of the Sandy Hook shooter.” 

Fred Guttenberg, a member of the Board of Advisors of Newtown Action Alliance and founder of Orange Ribbons for Gun Safety, added: “Anyone who has followed my story knows just how much Joe Biden has meant to me and my process of healing after my daughter Jaime was shot and killed by a gunman with an AR-15 at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. The Vice President has demonstrated to this nation that he is a fighter for us. He is a fighter who understands not only how to fight and win, but also how to fight with decency, integrity, civility and honor. Those are the qualities needed to defeat the current occupant of the White House.” 

“When we move past the sensation of the individual change agent and understand that without control of the Oval Office and both legislative chambers in the Capitol, our agenda for a safer America remains a distant dream. I support Joe Biden because he has the closest known understanding of our collective struggle and he knows more about the urban dilemma than other candidates have even considered,” said Reverend Sam Saylor, a member of the Steering Committee for Newtown Action Alliance, who lost his son to gun violence in Hartford, Connecticut.  

Kristin Song, a board advisor of Newtown Action Alliance, said: “Never underestimate a man who has buried a wife, daughter and son. Joe Biden has lived through the unimaginable three times and got up every time with compassion, determination and love for our citizens and our country. He gave me hope and purpose after my son was shot and killed by a gun that was unsecured in my neighbor’s home.” 

 "In 2012, my sister Nina was found dead due to a self-inflicted gunshot wound to her head. She was a victim of domestic violence and ended her life due to fear and degrading abuse. Joe Biden has spent his lifetime working to protect women from gun violence. In 1994, he worked with Republican Senator Orrin Hatch to cosponsor and pass the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), the reauthorization of which is currently being blocked by the Republican members of the U.S. Senate. I know that Joe Biden will work to elect Senators who will support the reauthorization of VAWA," said Yvonne Crasso, a board member of Newtown Action Alliance. 

“In an Aurora movie theater, my precious daughter Jessi was shot six times with an assault weapon with .223 bullets ripping and tearing through her tiny body. The head shot left a five-inch hole in her left orbital area and also blew her brain to bits. Joe Biden has beaten the NRA by helping to pass the Assault Weapons Ban in 1994. He understands that weapons of war do not belong in the hands of civilians and I know that he will work to pass the updated assault weapons ban bill that will help to systematically end the reign of terror in our communities,” said Sandy Phillips, a long time survivor member of the Newtown Action Alliance and the founder of Survivors Empowered. 

Before Election Day, Newtown Action Alliance will work with other grassroots gun violence prevention groups to endorse Congressional candidates with strong support for gun violence prevention policies and work with #Turnout2020 to help get out the vote in swing districts.  

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Newtown Action Alliance (http://alliance.newtownaction.org/) is a Newtown-based, national grassroots organization formed after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings. Our mission is to achieve the steady and continuous reduction of gun violence through legislative and cultural changes.