Sandy Hook Shooting and the Hoax Campaign
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On December 14, 2012, a gunman killed 20 children and 6 staff members at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. Conspiracy theorists then claimed the shooting was a hoax and harassed the victims’ families. Lenny Pozner, father of Noah Pozner, the youngest victim, founded HONR Network in response.
Sources: Connecticut State’s Attorney final report (2013), Connecticut State Police investigation reports, and FBI records. For the false claims and the evidence against them, see the Sandy Hook hoax: what the evidence and courts show.
Sandy Hook became one of the deadliest school shootings in US history. Within hours, conspiracy theorists began claiming the shooting was a hoax, and the victims’ families became the targets of years of harassment. Read the full story, the evidence and the court rulings in The Sandy Hook hoax: what the evidence and courts show.
HONR Network is the Sandy Hook nonprofit Lenny Pozner founded in 2014 to fight these hoaxes.
Hoax sites and conspiracy theorists emerge in the wake of the tragedy
Within hours of the shooting, posts on blogs and social media began claiming there were no victims at Sandy Hook. As the youngest victim, Noah Pozner’s photo became a main target. Read the full story, the evidence and the court rulings in The Sandy Hook hoax: what the evidence and courts show.
Victims are targeted
Victims and the families of victims, from every mass crisis event (mass shooting, school and church shootings, terrorist attacks, etc.) in the United States since 2013, have contacted HONR for advice and assistance on dealing with online hate, harassment, conspiracy theories, defamation, stalking, and threats.
Together, through empowerment, education, and advocacy we can effect change and create a safer more inclusive online experience for all.
Help us achieve this goal.
Donate NowHow does HONR Network support families affected by the Sandy Hook shooting?
HONR Network provides specialized support for families of the Sandy Hook shooting by removing harmful content, debunking misinformation, and offering a reporting system for those targeted by online hate speech. Read how Sandy Hook parents fought online harassment, and how HONR helps families today.
Who is Lenny Pozner and what is his role in Sandy Hook advocacy?
Lenny Pozner is the founder of HONR Network and the father of Noah Pozner, the youngest victim of the Sandy Hook tragedy. He is a leading advocate for the rights of victims to live free from online harassment and defamation.
What was the outcome of the Alex Jones Sandy Hook lawsuit?
The Alex Jones Sandy Hook verdict established a landmark legal precedent, proving that spreading false claims about victims has real-world consequences. Jones was ordered to pay nearly $1.4 billion in damages to Sandy Hook families, strengthening victim protection against coordinated online abuse.