11 Newtown Families: No Ties To Group Behind McGraw Concert

The July 17 concert in Hartford is benefiting Sandy Hook Promise, a group that was created in response to the 2012 tragedy and involves several victims’ relatives. It has lobbied for tighter restrictions on guns and has organized community-based efforts around the country to protect children from gun violence.

In their statement, the 11 families said they wanted to address confusion regarding how proceeds from the McGraw concert will be used.

“Our decision to publicly address this matter is not related to a position regarding any of the complex issues surrounding our tragedy,” the families said. “We wish only to provide clarification for the many generous donors that believe they are directly supporting the families at the center of this tragedy” by contributing to Sandy Hook Promise.

McGraw has defended his decision to participate in the concert at the XFINITY Theatre against criticism from gun rights advocates, saying there is no contradiction between gun ownership and supporting Sandy Hook Promise.

The opening act, Billy Currington, withdrew and said on his Facebook page that he doesn’t want to become involved in a debate between gun rights and gun control.

“I’ve never been one to take on controversial issues – I’m a singer,” he wrote. “I do feel strongly about honoring and supporting the Sandy Hook community and will be making a donation to a local organization.”

Nicole Hockley, a Sandy Hook Promise spokeswoman whose own son was killed in the shooting, said the group’s materials make clear that the concert proceeds and donations all support the nonprofit organization and its work to prevent gun violence.

“Our mission is to protect children and prevent gun violence by providing awareness, education and programs in the areas of mental health, mental wellness and gun safety,” she said. She said the group thanks the families that signed the letter “to reinforce to their donors that the proceeds benefit Sandy Hook Promise.”

Gunman Adam Lanza killed 20 first-graders and six educators at Sandy Hook Elementary on Dec. 14, 2012. Lanza shot and killed his mother in their Newtown home before carrying out the massacre and committing suicide.

The families who signed the statement are the parents of slain first-graders Charlotte Bacon, Josephine Gay, Jesse Lewis, Ana Marquez-Greene, James Mattioli, Emilie Parker, Jack Pinto, Jessica Rekos and Avielle Richman as well as the families of slain principal Dawn Hochsprung and teacher Victoria Soto.