SNL Sandy Hook Tribute and Other Moving Tributes For Newtown Shooting Victims (WATCH VIDEO)
The the mass shooting at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut last Friday has sparked an outpour of grief globally. People all over the world have been sharing their sentiments by paying tributes in many ways.
NBC's hit comedy variety show "Saturday Night Live" paid tribute the day after the tragedy with a children's choir singing a Christmas carol. The New York Children's Chorus sang "Silent Night" before a live studio audience. After completing the song with the lyrics including, "Sleep in heavenly peace," the children then yelled the traditional opening sentence to introduce the episode "Live from New York, its Saturday Night!"
Some of the biggest moving tributes came from the President of the United States. Several hours after the shooting occurred that claimed the lives of 20 children and six adults, President Obama delivered an emotional statement address live on television that moved him to tears.
President Obama openly wept when he stated that "our hearts are broken" for the families of the victims in the deadly mass shooting.
"I know there's not a parent in America who doesn't feel the same overwhelming grief that I do," Obama said.
The White House spokesman said earlier on Friday that President Obama has "enormous sympathy" for the families that have been affected by the deadly mass shooting.
On Sunday, Dec. 16, Obama attended a prayer vigil for the families. He spoke of the need for Americans to unite to prevent such future tragedies.
"We gather here in memory of twenty beautiful children and six remarkable adults," said a visibly emotional Obama. "They lost their lives in a school that could have been any school; in a quiet town full of good and decent people that could be any town in America ... Here in Newtown, I come to offer the love and prayers of a nation. I am very mindful that mere words cannot match the depths of your sorrow, nor can they heal your wounded hearts.
"I can only hope it helps for you to know that you're not alone in your grief; that our world too has been torn apart; that all across this land of ours, we have wept with you, we've pulled our children tight. And you must know that whatever measure of comfort we can provide, we will provide; whatever portion of sadness that we can share with you to ease this heavy load, we will gladly bear it. Newtown -- you are not alone."
He closed the address by reading the first names of the youngest victims."God has called them home," he added. "For those of us who remain, let us find the strength to carry on, and make our country worthy of their memory."
The following is a list of other moving tributes in honor of the Sandy Hook victims.
-The New York Giants paid tribute to all of the victims from Friday's mass shooting in Newtown, Connecticut at their game on Dec. 16. The team played with the initials "S.H.E.S." - for Sandy Hook Elementary School - hand-written on the back of their helmets. For one of their star players, Victor Cruz, the tribute was extra personal. After Cruz learned that one of the youngest victims was his biggest fan, the star receiver honored Ryan Pinto by writing the words "Jack Pinto, My Hero" on one of his cleats and "R.I.P. Jack Pinto" on the other. On the back of his gloves, he wrote "Jack Pinto This one is 4 U.!" Cruz posted pictures of the tributes on Instagram and tweeted the links to his followers. "Today's game is for you Jack," tweeted Cruz.
-The U.S. flag flew at half-staff at the U.S. Embassy in London.
-The Kansas City Chiefs NFL football players observed a moment of silence before an NFL game against the Oakland Raiders.
-The U.S. flag flew at half-mast at the U.S. Embassy in Helsinki, Finland.
-Outside of the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, Russia, local residents have left dozens of children's toys and candles in honor of the youngest victims.
-On Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, wooden crosses were planted by members of NGO Rio de Paz (River of Peace.)
Watch the video below of the New York Children's Chorus sing "Silent Night" on Saturday Night Live.
