Anger, sympathy, sadness, community and strength. With candles for the 49 victims of the Orlando, Fla., shooting, more than 100 people came together to honor the dead and seek solace at a vigil held in Roosevelt Center on June 14. “We send our thoughts, prayers and love to the family members and friends who have been affected by this senseless tragedy,” Lauren Cummings said as she opened the vigil. Organized by Greenbelt Pride, the vigil drew families, singles, seniors and babies. “While many were LGBTQ Latinos, whatever their sexual orientation, their race, gender or class, whatever their nationality, age or religion their deaths should profoundly impact every American.”
Her words were echoed by a large rainbow sign stating We Are Orlando. The people in the night club thought they were in a safe place, Cummings said. “Like the movie theater in Colorado, church in Charleston, classrooms in Virginia Tech, party in San Bernadino or elementary school in Newtown before this, everyone believed in their inherent safety and unfortunately each life was taken from us too soon.” Asking the crowd to move closer, she then asked the participants to move their minds forward and “honor the jubilant spirit of 49 souls who were taken and let us resolve to remember the impacts they’ve made in this world, not just how they were killed.” The sentiment was repeated by Greenbelt Mayor Emmett Jordan. “We are gathered in Roosevelt Center as others gather in Maryland and around the country,” he said. “We need to stand together in solidarity for tolerance and peace.” For more, click HERE to read the entire story.