Dec. 14 marked five years since the Sandy Hook massacre took the lives of 20 children and six adults.

  • Locals gather to remember Sandy Hook massacre
  • Organizers used vigil to call for change
  • Group pushing for changes in Florida law

Vigils took place across the country in remembrance and for action, including one in Orlando at the Broadway United Methodist Church.

Close to 50 people stood in the dark to honor and remember the victims and survivors of Newtown.

On the mind of David Barden was 7-year old Daniel Barden, who was killed five years ago at Sandy Hook.

“We miss Daniel, we always will,” Barden said. “I mean … Daniel was a face right out of a Norman Rockwell painting, and he was the sweetest kid you could ever imagine.”

Mass shootings have claimed thousands of lives across the United States.  It’s what the bell ringing at the church signified.

“Sandy Hook or Pulse, or the shooting in Aurora, San Bernardino, Las Vegas. These names of cities become to represent something terrible that is hard to understand unless you have experienced it yourself,” said Hannah Willard, Equality Florida Senior Policy Director.  

It’s why group organizers said Thursday was not about just praying — their goal was to make the night a call for change.

“We decided that we would honor them with action and not allow thoughts and prayers to be enough, but to demand real change, to uproot violence where ever it exists,” said Willard.

The group pushed for change in Florida law when it comes to background checks and what firearms civilians can own.

For Barden, it's a cause to stand behind on a dark night. Along with young Daniel, he personally knows survivors from Pulse and Fiamma, where a disgruntled former employee killed five former coworkers.

“That is three shootings within five years, and that is insane. We have to do better,” said Barden.

Also in the crowd tonight were local leaders including State Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith.

The groups organizing the event are Moms Demand Action and the Florida Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence.