Barrie Pride is holding a vigil to honour and remember the 49 victims of Sunday’s attack at an LGBT nightclub in Orlando – the deadliest mass shooting in USA history. “Just love each other”.
Advertisement
“We ask that our straight allies heed our call as well”. The posting added, “We are calling on communities to reject Islamophobia and xenophobia as a response to fighting homophobic and transphobic violence”.
Ferndale’s mayor praised the crowd for standing up “in the face of strong hatred”.
The event is open to anyone who wants to attend. “We need to remain awake”.
Detroit police Chief James Craig declared “heightened state of readiness” among police officers at the Pride festival but said there were “no active threats to Detroit or to the region”. The raid became violent, as patrons of the bar fought back, sparking a multiple day scuffle marked by violence on both sides, arrests, protests and property damage.
Organized by the Pride Center of Western New York, the vigil drew people from all over Western New York. “We’re here and we’re not going anywhere”. At the same time, Barrie Pride was also wrapping up.
“There was a shared sense amongst all there that we will continue to find ways to show our solidarity, and to keep working to ensure that LGBT people are safe and affirmed, in Ireland and across the world”.
The shooting didn’t make Traeonna Wagener fearful of attending a large, public LGBT gathering. “I promise you”, he said, “nothing could be further from the truth”. “(We must) create solidarity and community, so they can be who they are and that’s OK … and to show haters they won’t win.
MI political leaders and the region’s American Muslim community also offered support for families touched by the tragedy.
U.S. Rep. Candice Miller, R-Harrison Township, said she was “shocked and horrified” by the incident.
“Maui Pride’s Board of Directors would like to extend our condolences to the families and friends of the victims from the Orlando massacre”, a board statement said. “It’s completely uncalled for and goes against the decency of any society”. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott responded not only by flying a Florida flag from the governor’s mansion, but also by tweeting out a list of attacks blamed on extremists who were Muslim.
Advertisement
“People within the LGBT community know it was about violent homophobia, rampant masculinity, American values, white supremacy”, he said. Tonight we stand in silence as we mourn the lives lost in the senseless act of terrorism in Orlando.
