45°
Team 26, named for the 20 children and six educators killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School on Dec. 14, 2012, left Newtown on Saturday and biked 400 miles to the U.S. Capitol to ask Congress to pass legislation to help keep communities safe from gun violence.
Following their arrival at the Capitol, Team 26 traveled to the White House along with U.S Rep. Elizabeth Esty (D-5th District), U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy, both Connecticut Democrats, for meetings with Obama administration officials.
“The men and women of Team 26 put their lives on hold and biked hundreds of miles through the rain in the hope that Congress will finally do something to stem the tide of gun violence in this country,” said Esty, whose district includes Newtown. “Since the tragedy in Sandy Hook, about 100,000 Americans have lost their lives to gun violence, including more than 500 children. And in that time, the House has not held a single vote on gun safety legislation. Today, Team 26 is sending a loud and clear message: we cannot wait any longer for Congress to do its job."
“Bike riders who have braved snow and cold, rough roads and tough traffic, show us that courage and strength can conquer political headwinds all the way to the White House—and love wins,” Blumenthal said.
“For four years now, Team 26 has biked 400 miles from Newtown to Washington to honor the lives of the 26 precious students and teachers who were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary, and the more than 90,000 men, women, and children who have lost their lives to senseless gun violence since,” Murphy said.
“Thank you to Team 26 for devoting your time and energy to call for stronger gun violence prevention laws and for pushing Congress to act. To see you complete the 400 mile ride honoring those we lost for the fourth year in a row is truly touching,” said U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-3rd District).
“Thank you to Team 26 and the families and community that supports them,” U.S. Rep. Jim Himes (D-4th District) said. “Their ride is a reminder that we have not forgotten, and we will never forget the tragic effects that gun violence has had on our children and neighborhoods."
Click here to follow Daily Voice Greenwich and receive free news updates.
