Organisers of LA Pride released 49 balloons in honour of those who lost their lives in Orlando.
The massacre happened one year ago today during a Latin Night at LGBT+ nightclub Pulse, leaving 49 people dead and a further 53 injured, making it one of the worst mass shootings in modern US history.
Brian Pendleton, who organised Sunday’s Resist March during LA Pride, said: “As we remember those lost, we must not forget the fight for the living.”
49 purple balloons for the #orlando victims. ❤️? #LAPride #lapride2017 #LoveIsLove pic.twitter.com/DIisZ9Jn2K
— Trish Smyth (@trishsayshi) June 11, 2017
The event also included a moment of silence led by Rev. Troy Perry, the founder of the LGBT+ inclusive church Metropolitan Community Church and Christopher Street West Association.
Kassandra La Guisa-Riedeman, who held one of the balloons alongside her mother, told the LA Times that she could “feel the weight of the loss”.
Kassandra La Giusa-Riedeman & her mom Jacki Riedeman march with one of 49 purple balloons commemorating Orlando shooting victims #Pride2017 pic.twitter.com/4lHtKZSM8Z
— Hailey Branson-Potts (@haileybranson) June 11, 2017
London Pride also honoured the victims on their Twitter feed, and last night 49 angels marched outside the Pulse nightclub in a candlelit vigil.
June 12, 2016, 49 people were killed and 53 others wounded in a hate crime inside the #Pulse nightclub in Orlando. We will NEVER forget. pic.twitter.com/qTSCo6Yu4M
— Pride in London (@LondonLGBTPride) June 12, 2017
49 angels have arrived outside Pulse. Incredible scene. pic.twitter.com/2bzqBoXmwg
— Justin Warmoth (@JustinWarmoth) June 12, 2017
Earlier this year, a comic book called Love is Love released by IDW Publishing in collaboration with DC Comics raised over $165,000 for the victims and families affected by the attack.
