Newtown, CT: 2.24.2018 – by Nicole Hockley, Sandy Hook Promise – Last week, I met with students who survived the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School that killed 17 of their friends and educators. These kids reminded me of my beautiful butterfly Dylan.

I first started talking about change at Dylan’s funeral, and when I look at them, I see the people who are making that change I’ve waited for five years to happen. These students are just teenagers, but they’re standing up and calling for action. They’re honoring the memories of their teachers and classmates. They’re creating a wave of momentum in Congress, in state capitols and across the country to finally do something to prevent gun violence. I’ve never seen anything like it.

They just survived a school shooting and are showing such remarkable courage, but we can’t let them carry the burden of preventing gun violence alone. They’re afraid they will be murdered in their classrooms. They’re begging us to protect them.

We have to seize this moment and act right now, which is why we’re doing everything we can to push for gun safety reforms when Congress returns next week and get our Know the Signs gun violence prevention programs into as many schools as possible.

When I met with these students last week, we talked a lot about what life looks like after a tragedy. I keep moving forward by putting all of myself into this work – especially on the toughest days. Dylan’s birthday. December 14. And on the heartbreaking days when there’s been yet another school shooting.

Your support helps me keep doing this work to protect other children and honor Dylan’s life, and words can’t describe how grateful I am. Thank you.

With love,

Nicole Hockley (Dylan’s mom)

https://www.sandyhookpromise.org/