Prominent People React to Orlando Mass Shooting
The recent massacre in Orlando at a gay bar that killed 49 people has sparked outrage in the United States and triggered different reactions worldwide. The Orlando shooting has the highest death toll ever.
In the United States, President Barack Obama was saddened by the news and condemned the killing by saying that the massacre is an attack against all Americans regardless of race or sexual orientation.
“So this is a sobering reminder that attacks on any American is an attack on all of us and on the fundamental values of equality and dignity that define us as a country.” – Obama
The LGBT communities also was greatly affected by the news and with a united voice condemned the shooting and stressed the need to end homophobic hate.
Famous stars also react to social media by expressing their grief over the massive killing in the Pulse gay bar.
The Latino star Ricky Martin posted in Tweeter: “I am gay and I am not afraid. Love conquers all.”
A television star turned pop diva, Ariana Grande also expressed her grief by posting this message in Tweeter: How how how how can one have so much hate ????? My heart…… is so broken. Praying for the families of the Orlando victims. I am so sorry.
Lady Gaga who is a strong supporter of the LGBT community also poured her mourning in her tweeter account by saying, “It’s a traumatizing & emotional time for a many people. I dream of the world reflecting on what we can do to change this violence.”
Yesterday at a vigil in front of the City Hall in Los Angeles, the ‘Born This Way Singer’ broke down as she gave a powerful and emotional speech at a vigil for the victims of the mass shooting at an Orlando gay nightclub.
The country is mourning the loss of 49 people who were killed in the shooting spree in th Orlando nightclub early Sunday morning. The mass shooting, which took place during Pride Week, is now considered the most deadly shooting in American history.
Other Parts of the World
Vigils were not only held in the United States but also around the world in solidarity with the victims of the Orlando nightclub shooting.
In London, venues along Old Compton Street, the heart of the capital’s gay community, stopped serving at 7pm on Monday. People went to the streets and paid thetribute of silence for the victims. The crowd release dozens of balloons, one for each person killed in Orlando, into the skies above Soho.
In France, the Eiffel Tower was lit up in the rainbow colours of the LGBT community.
In Canada, vigils were held in Ottawa, Vancouver, and in Toronto. Around 5,000 people including mayor John Tory, attended a gathering.
Pride Toronto, an LGBT community in Canada, described the shooting as horrific and said, “This tragedy is a painful reminder that our community still faces hate and discrimination.”
Germany’s chancellor, Angela Merkel, said it was important to continue with “our open, tolerant life” after the tragedy.
Israel’s president, Reuven Rivlin, said in a letter to Obama that Israel stood “shoulder to shoulder with our American brothers and sisters.” To pay tribute to the victims of the Orlando shooting, Tel Aviv’s city hall was lit up with the US flag and the rainbow flag.
