Newtown schools are on remote learning Tuesday, Dec. 14, as the town marks nine years since a heavily-armed 20-year-old man opened fire on innocent children and staff at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
Twenty first graders and six adults died. Survivors and grieving family members describe lingering trauma.
School system officials are wary of receiving disruptive threats similar to those being directed at schools nationwide in the wake of last month's deadly shooting at Oxford High School in Michigan. Three years ago, Sandy Hook School itself was evacuated due to a threat.
In a letter sent to parents last week, Newtown Public School District Superintendent Dr. Lorrie Rodrigue wrote, "We know this is a very emotional time of year, and we hope that moving to a remote learning day will relieve some of the anxiety and stress that often accompanies this day."
Newtown Action Alliance Chairwoman Po Murray believes that the pattern of continued school shootings and threats are damaging: "It's retraumatizing all the children here in Sandy Hook and all the kids all across the country."
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Newtown Action Alliance and Sandy Hook Promise continue their advocacy in the names of the Sandy Hook victims. Both are behind what they consider to be sensible gun legislation, including a universal background check measure sponsored by Sen. Chris Murphy.
"The fact is, the majority of gun owners in the country support common-sense measures," says Murray. "They support background checks, they support the assault weapons ban, they support safe firearms storage and many other proposals."
Murray and Mark Barden of Sandy Hook Promise believe the Senate filibuster, requiring 60 votes to pass legislation, is holding up popular bills that promote public safety.
"I wish the more legislators would do what they are took a sworn oath to do," says Barden, "and that's to protect their constituents."
