Three parents who lost children in the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy are taking legal action against Alex Jones, the controversial figure known for promoting conspiracy theories. For years, Jones has alleged that the 2012 shooting was staged, labeling the parents of the 20 young victims as “crisis actors” and frauds. Now, those parents are fighting back.
Neil Thompson, who tragically lost his six-year-old son, along with fellow parents Martin Greene and Olivia De La Rosa, have filed defamation lawsuits in Austin, Texas, where Jones’ platform, Infowars, is headquartered. Each parent is seeking over $1 million in damages from Jones and his affiliated company, Free Speech Systems LLC.
Mark Thompson, the attorney representing the families, stated in an interview, “These families have endured unimaginable grief, only to face relentless torment from Alex Jones and his falsehoods for the past five years. His claims were designed to manipulate his audience into believing these parents are part of a larger deceit against the American public.”
In addition to Jones, the lawsuit also names Infowars correspondent Owen Carter, who made disparaging remarks following an interview in which Thompson recounted the heart-wrenching moment he held his deceased son. “I lost my son. I buried my son. I held my son, who had a bullet wound in his head,” Thompson shared during the June 2017 interview with NBC’s Megyn Kelly. In response, Carter told viewers that Thompson was lying, insisting that Sandy Hook parents had to identify their children through photographs instead of in person. Thompson’s lawsuit asserts that Carter’s statements are “completely untrue,” as families were given their children’s bodies for funerals.
It is truly appalling that a father, already burdened by such a profound loss, must justify the act of holding his own child after death. The lawsuits filed by Greene and De La Rosa focus on Jones’ derogatory claims regarding their integrity. In a broadcast referencing an interview with De La Rosa, Jones made outrageous assertions about the shooting, claiming that the scene was staged with “green screens” and actors.
The suit highlights Jones’ ongoing propagation of these harmful narratives, noting that it has been over five years since the tragedy. “Mr. Jones continues to spread these abhorrent lies about Mrs. De La Rosa and her interview,” it states. In a chilling example of the consequences of Jones’ rhetoric, a woman named Lucy Richards was sentenced to five months in prison after sending death threats to Greene, saying, “You’re going to die. Death is coming for you soon.”
Thompson remarked, “As a father, it’s surreal. Anyone who takes just a few minutes to speak with these parents can see how genuine their pain is and how vile these lies truly are.” They are not alone in their fight; there are additional lawsuits against Jones, including one from a young man wrongfully identified as a shooter and another from an individual involved in a violent incident at a rally.
Despite previously stating in November 2016 that he would cease making such hurtful comments about the Sandy Hook families, Jones maintained a level of skepticism, suggesting that the incident could be fabricated. His assertions have drawn widespread condemnation.
Let’s hope these lawsuits mark a significant turning point for Jones and his platform, possibly leading to accountability for his actions.
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Summary: Parents of Sandy Hook victims are suing Alex Jones for defamation, seeking damages for the distress caused by his false claims about the shooting. The lawsuits highlight the ongoing trauma inflicted by conspiracy theories and the need for accountability.