Hundreds Honored Orlando Victims with Candlelight Vigil Outside Stonewall Inn

h. nazan ışık—

14 June 2016—

On Monday, 13 June, there was a makeshift memorial outside the Stonewall Inn, with a candlelight vigil, in honor of the mass shooting victims at an Orlando gay nightclub.

It was about 18:00 crowds of people already gathered outside the Stonewall Inn, which is the birthplace of the modern Gay Rights movement.

Mayor de Blasio, Governor Cuomo were expected to join.

Governor Andrew Cuomo and his girl friend Sandra Lee arrived first, at about 19:20.

Governor Cuomo waved his hand to the crowd as they walked through a tunnel of photojournalists.

Both went down on bended knee and placed bouquets of flowers, they both had, in front of the Stonewall Inn.

Mayor Bill de Blasio and his wife followed them. They put bouquets of flowers they had, and showed their respects in a standing position.

After them, Police Commissioner Bill Bratton arrived.

Rainbow flags, “We are Orlando” signs were everywhere.

Governor Andrew Cuomo came to the stage first, demanded gun control from the USA Government.

Several openly gay politicians, LGBT community leaders, and some local activists spoke at the vigil.

Every time they mentioned the victims, crowd yelled “LGBT”, and “Latinos”. Speakers repeated after them: “ Yes, LGBT”, “Yes, Latinos.”

Mayor Bill de Blasio, the First Lady of New York City Chirlane McCray, and NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton were the last to speak.

All of the speakers urged unity. Mayor de Blasio invited everyone to join the Pride Parade on Sunday, 26 June.

One by one the names and the ages of the dead were read. After each name, the crowd raised candles and replied “Presente.” Whoever didn’t have candles used their smartphones light.

That was the scene at the vigil.

NKENdiKEN

NEWS/HABERLER

Hundreds Honored Orlando Victims with Candlelight Vigil Outside Stonewall Inn