Local Resident Pushes Unity, Peace in the Wake of Aurora Tragedy

When Plantsville resident Alex Vivian logged into Facebook after hearing about the shooting at a showing of the new Batman movie in Aurora, Colorado, he was pleased to see so many friends and family sending their thoughts and support to the 12 dead and 58 wounded.

But the 2008 graduate also knew that it wasn’t enough.

Now the 22-year-old town resident is encouraging residents to come together to honor those affected by the shooting and work to make sure that no one will have to experience the pain and sorrow that the victims and their families are going through today.

“Just in my lifetime, I’ve seen so many cases like this whether it’s Columbine, Virginia Tech or others,” Vivian said. “We need to make sure we don’t just remember those who were affected. My main goal is to make sure it never happens again.”

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That’s why on July 31, Vivian will partner with friends and members of the First Congregational Church of Southington to host a Rally for Peace at the . The event will focus on the victims, with pictures of those killed, and include a special candlelight vigil.

The rally was organized with the support of Vivian’s friends Lena Cantone, president of the Southington High School Class of 2008, and John Mitchell. Dawn Karlson of the First Congregational Church has also offered candles, a P.A. system and support in helping run the event.

Already, there are 52 participants committed to going 27 others who hope to attend according to the event invite posted on Facebook. Organizers are hoping to see at least 100 people come to the town green on Tuesday evening.

“Alex, thank you so much for putting something like this together! Its is such a great feeling knowing that my friend all the way across the country can get together and remember those who were lost in this awful tragedy,” wrote Kaylin Marie on the page. “All of Colorado, the victims, family and community members appreciate the love you all will be sending. There need to be more acts of kindness like you all are showing!”

But there will also be another focus during the rally – a call for legislators to take a stand and reinstate a federal ban that expired in 2004 outlawing semi-automatic weapons.

It’s not all weapons that Vivian is going after. He said the country was founded on the right to bear arms and that he believes guns serve an important purpose for protection and in allowing people the right to hunt and other recreational activities.

Semi-automatics and other high-powered guns have a direct purpose of killing people, however, and he said it’s time to take a stand.

“Now is our time to take a stand against high-powered weaponry and the policies that allowed this horrific event to take place,” Vivian said. “We need to stand together and make sure it’s not easy for people to acquire these weapons that are taking lives.”

Whether people support the push for a ban or not, Vivian said he respects others opinions and would like to see everyone come out and support those who were affected.

“It doesn’t matter where people stand on the gun laws, the primary goal here is to recognize what happened and show those in Colorado that we will not forget,” he said.

The vigil will begin at 7 p.m. and there is no cost to attend. For more information, visit the event page on Facebook by clicking the link provided.

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