HONR TODAY

Today, the fight to protect the memory of Noah Pozner and the other victims and families impacted by the Sandy Hook massacre, continues. But over the past six years, countless others impacted by mass-casualty tragedies and widely publicized violence, individuals targeted with online hate and harassment campaigns, as well as officials baffled as to what to do about the proliferation of online hate, have reached out for advice and assistance.

Recognizing the lack of protection for victims, the fundamental misunderstanding of the difference between protected “free speech” and illegal harassment and hate speech, and an often tone deaf response by politicians, law makers, law enforcement, and even social media platforms themselves, the focus of the HONR Network has expanded.

  • Our goal is to empower victims and their families through education and advocacy.

  • Our goal is to provide education to victims as well as to law enforcement, employers, and others who deal with victims of online aggression.

  • Our goal is to help craft impactful policy and legislative reform that makes the internet a safer, more inclusive, place for all.

EDUCATES

VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES

Protecting and empowering victims, survivors, and the family members of mass or publicized violence, conspiracy theory, cyber hate, and online harassment campaigns is our priority. HONR mentors and guides victims and their families, helping them to understand the online climate, make good decisions about their online presence and security, and work with social media and internet platforms to minimize the attacks. Through our network of professionals, HONR can also help victims and their families find appropriate legal, media, and counseling support.

SOCIAL MEDIA AND INTERNET USERS

At HONR, we believe that the first line of defense against online hate and harassment is education. Whether it is working with social media providers or print and broadcast media to shine a light on cyberhate, teaching people how to identify and report illegal online content, or helping to educate social media and internet users as to their rights and responsibilities online, educating the pubic is a key element of the HONR Network mission.

FOR EFFECTIVE ANTI-HARASSMENT POLICY

HONR is a non-partisan organization working with politicians and political groups to create succinct positions and workable solutions to eliminate cyber hate and harassment, while embracing and protecting Constitutionally protected speech and free expression. We advise on cyber hate issues and report on the effects that cyber hate has on victims, families, business, and communities. HONR also partners with many social media and internet service providers to report cyber aggression and to help craft more effective anti-harassment policies.

HOAX SITES AND CONSPIRACY THEORISTS EMERGE IN THE WAKE OF THE TRAGEDY

As the names of the victims and their families emerged after the massacre, their anguish was met with a new round of unexpected hell. Extremists, believing that the government would either murder innocent people OR stage an elaborate crisis play, began making claims that the Sandy Hook School shooting was a hoax designed to repeal the Second Amendment. 

Within hours, posts on blogs and social media began suggesting that there were no victims at Sandy Hook and that the grief stricken parents were actually “crisis actors.” Conspiracy theorists began combing through the social media of victim’s families looking for “proof,” stealing photos and personal information that they then disseminated on their own sites, and harassing those who spoke out in support of gun control in the wake of the shooting.

As the youngest victim, cherubic six-year-old Noah Pozner‘s picture became the media “go-to” photo when reporting on Sandy Hook. This coupled with his mother Veronique’s eloquent and impassioned call for stricter gun control measures, and the family’s Jewish faith quickly pegged the Pozners as the main target for conspiracy theorists, as well as anti-government, white supremacist, and antisemitic groups. 

By the end of January, a mere six-weeks after Noah was murdered, the attacks from some of the largest extremist platforms, which included radio and televised broadcast with 10 million hits a month, were so relentless that Lenny Pozner, Noah’s father wrote to the platforms, begging for compassion and relief. By this time, the conspiracy theorists had so whipped their fans into a frenzy against the Pozners, that thousands of followers were themselves posting Noah’s picture, often defaced, spreading “crisis actor” allegations, and sharing the personal identification details of the family on their own social media pages.

WITH LITTLE OPTION, LENNY TAKES ON THE CONSPIRACY THEORISTS

As the names of the victims and their families emerged after the massacre, their anguish was met with a new round of unexpected hell. Extremists, believing that the government would either murder innocent people OR stage an elaborate crisis play, began making claims that the Sandy Hook School shooting was a hoax designed to repeal the Second Amendment. 

Within hours, posts on blogs and social media began suggesting that there were no victims at Sandy Hook and that the grief stricken parents were actually “crisis actors.” Conspiracy theorists began combing through the social media of victim’s families looking for “proof,” stealing photos and personal information that they then disseminated on their own sites, and harassing those who spoke out in support of gun control in the wake of the shooting.

As the youngest victim, cherubic six-year-old Noah Pozner‘s picture became the media “go-to” photo when reporting on Sandy Hook. This coupled with his mother Veronique’s eloquent and impassioned call for stricter gun control measures, and the family’s Jewish faith quickly pegged the Pozners as the main target for conspiracy theorists, as well as anti-government, white supremacist, and antisemitic groups. 

By the end of January, a mere six-weeks after Noah was murdered, the attacks from some of the largest extremist platforms, which included radio and televised broadcast with 10 million hits a month, were so relentless that Lenny Pozner, Noah’s father wrote to the platforms, begging for compassion and relief. By this time, the conspiracy theorists had so whipped their fans into a frenzy against the Pozners, that thousands of followers were themselves posting Noah’s picture, often defaced, spreading “crisis actor” allegations, and sharing the personal identification details of the family on their own social media pages.

30% OF AMERICANS

have experienced hate or harassment online that focuses on their physical appearance, on their race or ethnicity, on their age, or on their gender or sexuality.*

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.

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