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Biden, U.S. officials commit to #HonorThemWithAction while reflecting on Pulse

By Ryan Williams-Jent
ABOVE: Equality Florida’s Honor Them With Action campaign, photo via EQFL.

Elected officials, organizations and leaders including former Vice President Joe Biden reflected on the Pulse tragedy June 12, honoring the 49 individuals killed four years ago today and committing to #HonorThemWithAction.

The national campaign was introduced by Equality Florida to ensure “the lasting memorial of the 2016 Pulse massacre is the real change of uprooting hatred, discrimination and violence of all kinds.”

“This year, as we prepare for one of the most important elections of our lifetime, we’re asking you to honor the 49 victims by making a plan to vote,” the organization shared. “Register to get your ballot by mail. Sign up to volunteer. Get educated on the issues. And when the time comes – VOTE. For the victims of Pulse and hate violence across the nation.”

Read more and watch a video from Equality Florida below:

Biden, whose presidential campaign launched a national LGBTQ voter initiative this week, committed to honor the 49 in a statement released early June 12.

“Four years ago, as members of the LGBTQ+ community were gathered together for ‘Latin Night’ at Pulse nightclub during Pride Month, a terrorist armed with a semi-automatic rifle opened fire,” the vice president shared. “He killed 49 innocent people and injured many more — at the time, the deadliest mass shooting by a single gunman. And still today, it remains the deadliest attack on the LGBTQ+ community in American history.

“Sadly, all these years later, terrorism, mass shootings, and hate crimes continue to rip apart our American communities,” he continued. “Our places of worship have been attacked, Hispanics have been targeted in places like El Paso, the death toll from mass shootings continues to mount, and LGBTQ+ people, particularly transgender women of color, are disproportionately targeted by violence.”

Biden cited “inaction of Republican lawmakers” to address American gun violence, calling it unacceptable. “Jill and I stand with the survivors of mass shootings and all the family members of victims to support the #HonorThemWithAction campaign,” he said.

“We have much more work to do to create a world free of terrorism, hate, bigotry, and violence — and that work has to start by making sure every person has a plan to vote in November,” Biden concluded. “As President, I will continue standing with you to build a more equal, more inclusive United States, where every member of the LGBTQ+ community is safe and respected.”

“49 lost friends. 53 carrying wounds temporary or permanent. Four years after #Pulse, I remain assured that ‘#OrlandoStrong’ was never just a slogan. It was a promise,” U.S. Rep Val Demings shared in a series of tweets:

“49 lives were taken away from us four years ago at Pulse,” U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi shared. “We must #HonorThemWithAction by ending gun violence, making a plan to vote in November and deafening the injustices. #OrlandoStrong”

“Four years ago, our country woke to learn of a horrific attack against the LGBTQ+ and Latinx community,” U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren shared, retweeting Equality Florida Media Relations Manager and Pulse survivor Brandon Wolf. “I’m holding the Pulse victims and their loved ones in my heart today—and urge everyone to #HonorThemWithAction. Make a plan to vote and fight for change.”

“Four years after the tragic shooting at Pulse, we honor the 49 victims – and victims of hate violence everywhere – with our cries for change,” State Rep. Shevrin Jones shared. “And this year, we must honor them with our votes. We must #HonorThemWithAction. Learn more at http://honorthemwithaction.org.”

“Today marks four years since a gunman took the lives of 49 innocent victims at the #Pulse nightclub, most of them members of our LGBTQ+ community,” U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy wrote. “We are still reeling from that loss, and my heart is with all of you who are hurting today. #FlaPol #FL07”

Former Mayor Pete Buttigieg, who made history this year as an openly LGBTQ candidate for president, also reflected in a video shared via Equality Florida. Watch:

The growing number of leaders committing to honor the 49 are joined by a number of other Florida officials and organizations which recognized the four-year mark of the Pulse tragedy. Central Florida and Tampa Bay officials shared their thoughts throughout the day.

While COVID-19 has limited in-person commemorations, organizations throughout Central Florida will hold virtual memorials to reflect on Pulse’s four-year mark. Read more here.

On this four-year mark and every day, Watermark remembers Pulse – we will update this and other features with more information as it becomes available.

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