Thousands gathered Monday night in front of the historic Stonewall Inn in NY to remember the victims of the mass shooting at an LGBT nightclub in Orlando.
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The Stonewall riots were sparked in 1969 to protest police brutality and crackdowns on LGBT people after repeated raids of the Inn. “This is NY at its best, coming together to speak with one voice”, said Cuomo.
The 30-year-old singer, who’s a longtime supporter of the LGBT community, joined thousands of people outside City Hall in downtown LA where she helped to read out the names of the 49 people killed by a lone gunman at gay nightclub, Pulse.
The month of June is “Pride Month” where multiple cities celebrate LGBT rights, and majority continue with celebrations such as Los Angeles, Calif. who had their Pride Parade today.
Representatives of LGBTQ activist groups were also present at the event, including Shelby Chestnut, the co-director of community organizing and public advocacy for The Anti-Violence Project, and Leah Gunn Barrett, executive Director of New Yorkers Against Gun Violence. Tonight, the crowds were overcome by different emotions: shock and sorrow and mourning for people who had, at Pulse, sought out a community like the one that gathers at Stonewall. It’s also the location of a makeshift memorial, where people have been leaving flowers, candles and notes for the victims.
Cuomo railed against Congress for failing to pass gun control measures and vowed to walk shoulder to shoulder with participants in the largest and safest Pride parade ever in NY on June 26. “We not only stand in unity with Orlando, but we stand ready to take action”.
De Blasio said “We do not accept anyone who would sow division or hatred”.
San Francisco Police Department spokesman Sgt. Michael Andraychak said more officers would be patrolling both popular LGBT venues, such as the city’s Castro District, and local mosques in the weeks ahead. On behalf of all New Yorkers, our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, the injured and their loved ones during this unimaginably hard time. “This is the deadliest mass shooting in the history of the United States and it reminds us once more that weapons of war have no place on our streets”.
“I came to this country for safety”, said Mirna Haidar.
In Washington, DC, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington performed “We Shall Overcome” in front of the White House. Violence broke out and continued for days, resulting in the establishment of more meeting places for the gay community and cementing the incident as a turning point for the gay rights movement.
In Vancouver, a candlelight vigil was held on the steps of the Vancouver Art Gallery.
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“The good guys always win”, said mourner Alan Corduner.
