Around 50,000 people attend Orlando shooting vigil Sunday night
On the week anniversary of the Pulse nightclub shooting that left 49 people dead, a vigil was held that brought the city of Orlando together.
People attend a memorial service on June 19, 2016 in Orlando, Florida. Thousands of people are expected at the evening event which will feature entertainers, speakers and a candle vigil at sunset. In what is being called the worst mass shooting in American history, Omar Mir Seddique Mateen killed 49 people at the popular gay nightclub early last Sunday. Fifty-three people were wounded in the attack which authorities and community leaders are still trying to come to terms with. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, Fla. - On the week anniversary of the Pulse nightclub shooting that left 49 people dead, a vigil was held that brought the city of Orlando together.
Organizers say around 50,000 people attended the Sunday event.
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"If you didn't know someone directly that was affected, then someone you know knows someone who was there," said Arissa Suarez, who knew four of the shooting victims who were killed.
"It's a lot of comradery," said Ashley McClellan, who worked with one of the shooting victims in the past. "We're really taking ownership over our city, and we're not going to let anything like this happen ever again and we're not going to let hate ever win."
The crowd held posters, sang and later in the evening held a silent candlelight vigil for the victims.
"It's been healing," said Hilda Roldan, a former Pulse employee who knew several of the victims. "It's been really healing."
Tens of thousands gathering for vigil for Pulse shooting victims in Orlando. pic.twitter.com/gpltI8hYPB
— Jacqulyn Powell (@JacqulynWPTV) June 19, 2016
"I see all of these people sitting and standing here, and they're here for a cause," said Orlando resident Sierra Lamb. "That makes you feel the most beautiful feeling in this world because you know that they care."
Attendees said the vigil brought some hope out of the tragedy.
"A beautiful thing came out of it," Suarez said. "Seeing all the solidarity with all Orlandonians and everyone out here, I mean, it's a great feeling, and I think seeing all of this is a great coping mechanism for the families as well."
