WASHINGTON, DC – Tomorrow, Tuesday, March 12 at 1:00 PM, Connecticut’s Congressional delegation will host a press conference on the West Front Lawn of the U.S. Capitol where they will welcome the arrival of Sandy Hook Ride on Washington, a team of 26 cyclists riding almost 400 miles from Newtown, Connecticut to the Capitol in Washington, DC in support of commonsense solutions to prevent gun violence.

The riders include parents, teachers, a Newtown Police officer, a Vietnam Veteran, and a mix of professional, top amateur, and masters cyclists from across the Northeast. Two of the riders are the parents of children who attended Sandy Hook Elementary. Each of the 26 cyclists represents a life taken on December 14. They departed Newtown on Saturday, March 9.

Additional cyclists will be joining the riders for the final leg of their journey to the Capitol including members of the Virginia Tech Victims Cycling Team.

WHO: The Connecticut Congressional delegation - U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (Conn), U.S. Senator Christopher Murphy (Conn), U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro (CT-3), U.S. Representative John Larson (CT-1), U.S. Representative Joe Courtney (CT-2), U.S. Representative Jim Himes (CT-4), U.S. Representative Elizabeth Esty (CT-5); Chair of the Congressional Gun Violence Prevention Task Force Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-5); 26 cyclists riding from Newtown in support of commonsense solutions to prevent gun violence; members of the Virginia Tech Victims Cycling Team and additional cyclists

WHAT: Press conference welcoming the arrival at the Capitol of 26 cyclists riding from Newtown in support of commonsense solutions to prevent gun violence

WHEN: Tuesday, March 12, from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM

  • 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM – Media pre-set
  • 1:00 PM  to 1:10 PM – Cyclists arrive at the bottom of the central grassy area of the West Front Lawn of the U.S. Capitol where they will be greeted by the Connecticut Congressional delegation.
  • 1:10 PM – Cyclists will walk with members of the delegation to a podium at the center of the West Front Lawn
  • 1:10 PM to 1:15 PM – The Connecticut Congressional delegation, Monte Frank of Sandy Hook Ride on Washington, and other participants will deliver remarks

WHERE: Central grassy area of the West Front Lawn, U.S. Capitol

Note: In the event of inclement weather, the press conference will be held in HVC-215 following the cyclists’ arrival. If the press conference is to be moved indoors, a notice will be sent by 10:00 AM, Tuesday, March 12.