From Staff Reports and Florida Phoenix
Flags were at half-staff Saturday, June 12, 2021 from sunrise to sunset, commemorating the 49 lives lost and 53 wounded from the mass shooting at Orlando’s Pulse Nightclub on June 12, 2016.
A proclamation from Governor Ron DeSantis asked residents to pause for a moment of silence.
“The state of Florida will not tolerate hatred towards the LGBTQ and Hispanic communities, and together we stand united against terrorism and hate of any kind,” the proclamation says.
“We continue to pray for the victims, survivors, families and friends of all those lost and will always remember that the Orlando community and all Floridians stand united and resilient in the face of great tragedy.”
The proclamation lists the names of all 49 lives lost:
Stanley Almodovar III
Amanda L. Alvear
Oscar A. Aracena-Montero
Rodolfo Ayala-Ayala
Antonio Davon Brown
Darryl Roman Burt II
Angel Candelario-Padro
Juan Chavez Martinez
Luis Daniel Conde
Cory James Connell
Tevin Eugene Crosby
Deonka Diedra Drayton
Simón Adrian Carrillo Fernández
Leroy Valentin Fernandez
Mercedez Marisol Flores
Peter Ommy Gonzalez-Cruz
Juan Ramon Guerrero
Paul Terrell Henry
Frank Hernandez
Miguel Angel Honorato
Javier Jorge Reyes
Jason Benjamin Josaphat
Eddie Jamaldroy Justice
Anthony Luis Laureano Disla
Christopher Andrew Leinonen
Alejandro Barrios Martinez
Brenda Lee Marquez McCool
Gilberto R. Silva Menendez
Kimberly Jean Morris
Akyra Monet Murray
Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo
Gerardo A. Ortiz Jimenez
Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera
Joel Rayon Paniagua
Jean Carlos Mendez Perez
Enrique L. Rios, Jr.
Jean Carlos Nieves Rodríguez
Xavier Emmanuel Serrano Rosado
Christopher Joseph Sanfeliz
Yilmary Rodríguez Solivan
Eddie Sotomayor, Jr.
Shane Evan Tomlinson
Martin Benitez Torres
Jonathan A. Camuy Vega
Juan Pablo Rivera Velázquez
Luis Sergio Vielma
Franky Jimmy DeJesus Velázquez
Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon
Jerald Arthur Wright
"It has been five years but it feels like yesterday. Today I am thinking of the 49 who we lost—49 human beings, 49 dreams, 49 futures, 49 families missing a loved one. I am thinking of the survivors who still need our fullest support as they work through physical and mental wounds. I am thinking of the families with an empty seat at the table. Nothing can bring back what was lost, but we can do everything in our power to fill that void with love, support, and a commitment to care for our community not only today, but in the years to come.
I echo our mayor to say to the survivors and family members of Pulse: it’s okay to not be okay. This was a tragedy. The nation may have watched and grieved with us, but the pain that you may be feeling is personal. I want you to know that we embrace you with love, not as symbols but as yourselves. If you are struggling, there is help available, and I encourage you to reach out.
It can be hard to find the words, because the truth is that no words can make this right for the survivors and families of those we lost. That’s why five years ago we promised to ‘honor them with action,’ not just with words. As we move forward from this anniversary, it is my prayer that all of us will recommit ourselves to that mission, to ensure that every Pulse survivor—and every American—can live in a nation where each person is safe to go out to a nightclub or any other place, where our LGBTQ community is protected, where the highest-quality mental health support is available to those who need it, and where we treat gun violence as the threat that it is to our loved ones. I know that we can do better, and as we commemorate this sorrowful anniversary, I believe that we must do better.”
"Today marks five years since a gunman took the lives of 49 innocent victims at the Pulse nightclub, most of them members of our LGBTQ+ community. We are still reeling from that loss, and my heart is with all of you who are hurting today.
The memory of the Pulse victims and their legacies continues to inspire me personally – and all of us – to push for action and demand change. Since that tragedy, we’ve worked hard to build a better, more inclusive community in Florida. And we continue fighting to ensure every person in this country is treated equally regardless of who they are or who they love.
Last month, I joined my colleagues in Congress to introduce a bill to designate Pulse as a National Memorial site. As of this week, both the House and Senate have passed the bill and it will now go to the President's desk to be signed into law. Designating this site is about more than building a monument to mourn those we lost. It will be a physical reminder that our work won't be complete until we ensure the lives of the victims were not lost in vain.
June is also Pride Month. As we recognize the contributions of LGBTQ+ Americans and remember the tragedy that scarred our community 5 years ago, you have my word I will continue to honor the memories of the victims not just with words, but with resolute action."
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here