Newtown Massacre Vigils Throughout D.C. Region

In the hours following the mass shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, vigils began popping up across the D.C. region.

The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence organized a vigil demanding immediate gun legislation outside the White House.

The Connecticut Society held a candlelight vigil on the U.S. Capitol side of the Washington Monument.

At George Washington University, a candlelight vigil was held at the Newman Center to pray for victims of the shooting.

The Black Student Union at the University of Maryland held a vigil for the shooting victims at the Nyumburu Ampitheater Saturday night.

The dean of the Washington National Cathedral, the Very Rev. Gary Hall called on the nation to address gun violence during the cathedral's Sunday services at 8:45 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.

Citing the instruction of John the Baptist to "bear fruits worthy of repentance" from the Gospel of Luke, and repeatedly saying "enough is enough," Hall said "I believe the best way to mourn the Sandy Hook shooting is to mobilize this faith community for gun control."

At that point in his sermon, Hall was interrupted by 30 seconds of applause from the 11:15 a.m. congregants, who also gave him a standing ovation at its conclusion.

"Today we grieve," Hall continued, "but soon we act. ... I believe the gun lobby is no match for the cross lobby.

"As Christians, we have a moral obligation to stand for and with the victims of gun violence, and to work to end it."

Elsewhere in D.C., a vigil will be held at the Tenth Street Baptist Church in Northwest beginning Sunday at 6 p.m.

In Reston, the Al-Fatih Academy will host an interfaith vigil, which also begins Sunday at 6 p.m. The vigil is being held in association with Muslim Mothers Against Violence (MMAV) and All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS).

"This type of senseless violence is condemned by all," the vigil's organizers said in a statement. "As Muslims, we believe that if anyone kills one person, it is as if he/she has killed all of humanity, and if anyone saves one life, it is as if he/she has saved all of humanity.

The statement concluded: "We must come together as People of All Faiths in solidarity and work to end gun violence and create safe and peaceful schools and communities."

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