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'Love Conquers': Orlando Massacre Victims Mourned Worldwide
People gathered to grieve for the 49 victims of the mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, in emotional vigils spanning the globe
Jun 14, 2016
From Singapore to Seattle, from Glasgow to San Francisco, mourners around the world held vigils on Monday for victims of the mass shooting that took place at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, this weekend.
Many of those grieving expressed a resolve to support and love each other, rather than be provoked into anger and hate.
"I will not distill my grief into hatred," read one person's hand-made placard at a vigil at Boston's City Hall Plaza.
In New York City, a vigil was held outside of the historic Stonewall Inn. One person there, Stephanie Yim, told Refinery29, "I identify as a queer person, and the fact that I guess, where it hits--it hits really close to home. [These] should be safe places, and places where you meet friends, you fall in love. And people need to remember that, at the end of the day, I think love wins."
In Orlando, after emotional statements from activists and local and national officials, a moment of silence was held while a church bell rang 49 times--once for each victim.
Some attendees expressed surprise to feel so much support from the larger community. "I wasn't expecting as many people. I'm still kind of in shock a little bit," Orlando resident Elizabeth Cortes told ABC News. "Being here makes it a little more surreal. The turnout is amazing. Like they say, love conquers."
Photos emerged throughout the evening, documenting emotional vigils that spanned the globe:
More vigils are planned throughout the rest of week. The LGBTQ rights group Equality Florida has set up a fundraiser for the victims and their families, and supporters are asked to donate here.
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From Singapore to Seattle, from Glasgow to San Francisco, mourners around the world held vigils on Monday for victims of the mass shooting that took place at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, this weekend.
Many of those grieving expressed a resolve to support and love each other, rather than be provoked into anger and hate.
"I will not distill my grief into hatred," read one person's hand-made placard at a vigil at Boston's City Hall Plaza.
In New York City, a vigil was held outside of the historic Stonewall Inn. One person there, Stephanie Yim, told Refinery29, "I identify as a queer person, and the fact that I guess, where it hits--it hits really close to home. [These] should be safe places, and places where you meet friends, you fall in love. And people need to remember that, at the end of the day, I think love wins."
In Orlando, after emotional statements from activists and local and national officials, a moment of silence was held while a church bell rang 49 times--once for each victim.
Some attendees expressed surprise to feel so much support from the larger community. "I wasn't expecting as many people. I'm still kind of in shock a little bit," Orlando resident Elizabeth Cortes told ABC News. "Being here makes it a little more surreal. The turnout is amazing. Like they say, love conquers."
Photos emerged throughout the evening, documenting emotional vigils that spanned the globe:
More vigils are planned throughout the rest of week. The LGBTQ rights group Equality Florida has set up a fundraiser for the victims and their families, and supporters are asked to donate here.
From Singapore to Seattle, from Glasgow to San Francisco, mourners around the world held vigils on Monday for victims of the mass shooting that took place at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, this weekend.
Many of those grieving expressed a resolve to support and love each other, rather than be provoked into anger and hate.
"I will not distill my grief into hatred," read one person's hand-made placard at a vigil at Boston's City Hall Plaza.
In New York City, a vigil was held outside of the historic Stonewall Inn. One person there, Stephanie Yim, told Refinery29, "I identify as a queer person, and the fact that I guess, where it hits--it hits really close to home. [These] should be safe places, and places where you meet friends, you fall in love. And people need to remember that, at the end of the day, I think love wins."
In Orlando, after emotional statements from activists and local and national officials, a moment of silence was held while a church bell rang 49 times--once for each victim.
Some attendees expressed surprise to feel so much support from the larger community. "I wasn't expecting as many people. I'm still kind of in shock a little bit," Orlando resident Elizabeth Cortes told ABC News. "Being here makes it a little more surreal. The turnout is amazing. Like they say, love conquers."
Photos emerged throughout the evening, documenting emotional vigils that spanned the globe:
More vigils are planned throughout the rest of week. The LGBTQ rights group Equality Florida has set up a fundraiser for the victims and their families, and supporters are asked to donate here.
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