First United Methodists Church Pulse Memorial. (Photo by Luis Xavier De Peña)
THE COMMUNITY EMBRACES EACH OTHER AGAIN
Seven years after the Pulse nightclub shooting, the Orlando community continues to come together to honor and remember the victims and survivors of the attack through many events in the area.
“Inspiration Orlando United,” a mural by Michael Pilato, Yuriy Karabash and Chimene Hurst is currently on display at the Orlando Museum of Art through June 16. The mural includes victims, survivors, families and more affected by Pulse and gun violence.
Michael Pilato, one of the artists that was involved in the mural’s creation, said that the entire project was fully grassroots funded, and that the Hispanic community was especially supportive in the creation of the mural.
“If we were to speak with God, the creator, a higher power, about our humanity, the love after Pulse would show that,” Pilato said.
Pilato also noted that the mural is a work in progress, many portraits being updated or repainted to honor families’ wishes, and more individuals added to the piece as stories are learned and shared. He said that the mural serves as a platform for those affected to come together through a visual shared history and to highlight stories of love, leadership, hope and inspiration.
49 bells rang from First United Methodist Church Orlando on S. Magnolia Ave on June 12 at 4 p.m. The annual ceremony was held to honor the victims of Pulse and celebrate their legacies. Along with families and friends, local elected officials and community members attended the ceremony.
Rev. Dr. Vance Rains, Lead Pastor at First United Methodist Church of Orlando, said that he and the church are honored to host the annual ceremony.
“We are honored and humbled to support the survivors and families. We know that not every church has supported the LGBTQ community, so we feel like that’s our calling downtown to be that place that we think it’s right and true,” Rains said. “God loves everybody.”
(Photos by Luis Xavier De Peña)
The Pulse memorial crosses are on display at The Orange County Regional History Center from June 10-12. Crafted by Illinois carpenter Greg Zanis, all 49 crosses for the Pulse victims were originally placed alongside Lake Beauty on the Orlando Health campus but have been permanently preserved by the history center in its One Orlando Collection. The crosses serve as a memorial for each of the individuals lost.
(Photos by Luis Xavier De Peña)
In front of the Dr. Phillips Center, locals came to donate blood during the Remembrance Day Memorial Blood Drive with OneBlood on June 12.
Donors received a $20 eGift card, wellness check, and limited-edition T-shirt.
Over the weekend, both local soccer teams held Pride matches at Exploria Stadium with Orlando City SC taking on the Colorado Rapids June 10 and Orlando Pride facing off against the Portland Thorns June 11.
(Photos by Luis Xavier De Peña)
THE NATION SENDS ITS PRAYERS TO ORLANDO
Words of support poured in from elected officials and organizations, locally and nationally.
Despite the grief, Mayor of Orange County, Jerry L. Demings finds comfort in the support the community shows to each other.
“After seven years, our hearts remain broken from the senseless act of violence that took the lives of 49 innocent people and injured so many others. It is comforting to know that our community has not forgotten the pain and suffering of the families and survivors, for it is the only way that love will prevail over hate.”
Mayor of Orlando, Buddy Dyer took to Twitter to send his love to survivors and families of the victims.
Seven years ago, 49 angels were taken too soon at the Pulse nightclub shooting.
— Buddy Dyer (@buddyfororlando) June 12, 2023
Today, we send our love to the survivors, the families of the victims, and our first responders. And we recommit to honoring the victims with action by working to build a more inclusive Orlando. pic.twitter.com/5aYOKzTX57
Equality Florida called for those on Facebook to change their profile picture in solidarity with the cause. They also took the time to remember the awful shooting that happened at Club Q, and LGBTQ+ club in Colorado Springs in 2022.
Starting on Friday, June 9, the onePulse Foundation shared 49 posts to their Twitter feed to remember each of the victims.
Leading up to June 12th Annual Remembrance Ceremony, we will honor each of our 49 Angels every hour to mark seven years since the tragedy at Pulse nightclub. We will never forget. #WeWillNotLetHateWin pic.twitter.com/TULgpepgQF
— onePULSE Foundation (@onePULSEorg) June 10, 2023
Former lawmaker, Carlos Guillermo Smith shared a short thread on Twitter calling to honor the victims through action to resist bigotry.
It’s been 7 years since an act of hate took 49 friends, family, and neighbors at Pulse nightclub, a haven for LGBTQ people on Latin night. Their stories will never be forgotten and our community was changed forever. 1/ pic.twitter.com/wCwfS65feR
— Carlos Guillermo Smith (@CarlosGSmith) June 12, 2023
Florida House of Rep. Anna V. Eskamani took to social media to remember the victims and to call for Floridians to combat the anti-LGBTQ+ laws signed by Governor DeSantis.
Congressman Maxwell Frost took this time to remind to remember and call on an end to gun violence.
President Joe Biden and first lady Dr. Jill Biden send their prayers to the families of the victims on this remembrance day.
Seven years ago today, our nation suffered what was then the deadliest mass shooting in American history. Forty-nine people, predominantly Latino LGBTQI+ people, lost their lives in a senseless act of gun violence.
— President Biden (@POTUS) June 12, 2023
Today, on Pulse Remembrance Day, Jill and I pray for the…
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