Nationwide, a moment of silence for Connecticut school shooting victims
(CNN) - Governors around the country have called for a moment of silence Friday morning in memory of the 20 students and 7 adults killed December 14 in Newtown, Connecticut, by a gunman who also took his own life.
President Barack Obama will hold a moment of silence himself, the White House said. He traveled to the town Sunday evening and spoke at an interfaith vigil, noting the students and faculty killed "lost their lives in a school that could have been any school, in a quiet town full of good and decent people that could be any town in America."
- Follow the Ticker on Twitter: @PoliticalTicker
Connecticut Gov. Dan Malloy urged his counterparts around the country to join him in a day of mourning on Friday, which includes a moment of silence at 9:30 a.m. It was around that time the gunman forced his way into Sandy Hook Elementary School with three weapons, including a semi-automatic rifle, and claimed the lives the community has since mourned.
"Let us all come together collectively to mourn the loss of far too many promising lives at Sandy Hook Elementary School," Malloy said. "Though we will never know the full measure of sorrow experienced by these families, we can let them know that we stand with them during this difficult time."
Governors in at least 28 states called for a moment of silence Friday morning. In some of those states, governors called for bells to toll for the 26 victims at the elementary school.
Gov. Mary Fallin of Oklahoma suggested residents wear green, Sandy Hook's school color, and in Alaska, the state capitol's bell will ring at 9:30 a.m. local time. The bell is a full-scale replica of the liberty bell.
In a letter sent to governors around the country, Malloy noted how the shooting has resonated nationwide.
"Mourning this tragedy has extended beyond Newtown, beyond the borders of Connecticut, and has spread across the nation and the world," he said. "On behalf of the State of Connecticut, we appreciate the letters and calls of support that have been delivered to our state and to the family members during their hour of need."
The states honoring a moment of silence include Alaska, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
Obama ordered flags to half staff last Friday in the wake of the shooting. Flags will also fly at half staff in Friday, after being ordered lowered following the death on Monday of Sen. Dan Inouye of Hawaii.
From CNN Politics
- Trump's army takes aim at 2022 touting his election lies March 23, 2021 05:01 am
- Why Republican voter restrictions are a race against time March 23, 2021 04:27 am
- Warnock's seat comes into focus amid battle over voting laws and filibuster rules March 23, 2021 03:06 am
- White House aides prep $3 trillion jobs package for Biden March 23, 2021 02:30 am
- Biden administration continues to deny journalists access to border facilities March 23, 2021 02:28 am
- Arguing against statehood for DC, congressman says it has no car dealerships (it does) March 23, 2021 02:23 am
Arkansas is also observing the moment of silence.
the people all around the world stood together as one praying for the parents and loves one and for those sweet little angle that lost their in this shooting in conn we will never foreget this shooting and why it happen to these childrens
we too felt your pain and sorrow here
This is a good thing. After that, how about a moment of silence for all the working people forced to take a ride over the fiscal cliff. Could this have come at a worse time? It's supposed to be Christmas. Apparently republicans like to invoke passages from the bible, but only when it suits their purpose. Coal for everyone.
The best moment of silence would be seeing the NRA up in smokes and the gun toting cowards silenced forever.
Why is there not all the states. What is wrong with this country.
Do not let this be a routine–do pass GUN-CONTROL LAWS. Sign. Ignore NRA money bribe to senate/congress idiots.
It would be nice if the writers of this followed smple journalism standards. Like the inverted pyramid. The article did not say exactly what time the moment of silence is until the third paragraph.
Most of the southern states aren't going to have a moment of silence for the children? Maybe we shouldn't have fought the civil war.
Why isn't NY doing this????
While the White House proposed a moment of silence, the NRA said they preferred a 21-gun salute.
Anonymous
Why isn't NY doing this????
-------------------–
Who knows. Maybe for the same reason the Mississippi, Lousiana, Georgia, and a host of other states are not listed.
Ny is observing a moment of silence as well.
I would like to share my ideas to our great Pres. Obama who is truly care of how to protect our kids in all public schools in America: First, government should hire more qualified men and women and to train them become special polices just only to protect students in schools. if our governments do not have funds for this then all parents who have kids attending schools should share a little money monthly to pay for those special polices to protect their kids. I will do it because I have two kids 5 & 6. This is the cheap and the effective way to installing immediately security systems without delay. I pray and meditate for this going to happen soon.
My so hurt by what as happend in new town. I have 4kids of my own and i dont know. What i would do new town we love you all and god is with you and are prays are with you .and it was a hard day for me last Friday when to know are kids are not safe at school...as a mom we can do more to fix this love you new town. Love the hill family. Ill