Hearts around
the world were broke on Friday, December 14, 2012 as we
learned of the senseless act of evil perpetuated against 20 children and six
adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown , Connecticut .
Many people
urged U.S.
politicians to honor the 28 victims, especially the children, by pushing for
stronger gun control laws.
Below are
some of their messages of condolences…
British
Prime Minister David Cameron, said he was "deeply saddened" to learn
of the "horrific shooting."
Queen
Elizabeth II sent a message to President Barack Obama, saying she was shocked
to learn of the "dreadful loss of life" and that the thoughts and
prayers of all in the U.K.
are with those affected by the events.
German
Chancellor Angela Merkel said her "deepest sympathy" is reserved for
relatives of the victims.
French
President Francois Hollande said he was "horrified" by the shooting.
Australian
Prime Minister Julia Gillard called Friday's attack at Sandy
Hook Elementary School
in Newtown , Connecticut , a "senseless and
incomprehensible act of evil."
Jose
Manuel Barroso, president of the European Union's executive Commission, said:
"Young lives full of hope have been destroyed. On behalf of the European
Commission and on my own behalf, I want to express my sincere condolences to
the families of the victims of this terrible tragedy."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed those sentiments in a letter to Obama expressing his horror at the "savage massacre," saying that his country knows the "shock and agony" such cruel acts can bring.
The Vatican said Pope Benedict XVI conveyed
"his heartfelt grief and the assurance of his closeness in prayer to the
victims and their families, and to all those affected by the shocking
event" in a condolence message to the monsignor of the diocese in Connecticut that includes Newtown .
Russian
leader Vladimir Putin called the events "particularly tragic" given
that the majority of the victims were children. "Vladimir Putin asked
Barack Obama to convey words of support and sympathy to the families and
friends of the victims and expressed his empathy with the American
people," the Kremlin said in a statement.
Afghan
President Hamid Karzai expressed his condolences to the American nation at the
start of his remarks in Kabul on Saturday about Afghanistan 's
foreign policy.
"Such
incidents should not happen anywhere in the world," Karzai said, adding
that Afghanistan
frequently witnesses such tragedies and can sympathize with those affected.
Japanese
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda sent a condolence message to President Obama for
the families of the victims. "The
sympathy of the Japanese people is with the American people," he said. In Japan , guns are
severely restricted and there are extremely few gun-related crimes.
In the Philippines , President Benigno Aquino III said
he and the Filipino people stand beside the United States "with bowed
heads, yet in deep admiration over the manner in which the American people have
reached out to comfort the afflicted, and to search for answers that will give
meaning and hope to this grim event."
And many
more messages from all around the world…
Last
night, December 16th, President Obama addressed the families of Newtown , offering the
love and prayers of a nation, and vowing to use whatever power his office holds
to protect our children from such unthinkable acts of violence.
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