City of Fort Lauderdale hosts memorial for victims of Orlando nightclub massacre

f t # e
Fort Lauderdale, FL, June 20, 2016 | comments

LOCAL 10 (WPLG ABC MIAMI)

City of Fort Lauderdale hosts memorial for victims of Orlando nightclub massacre

Memorial held Friday at Parker Playhouse

By Amanda Batchelor

A memorial was held Friday at the Parker Playhouse in Fort Lauderdale to honor the victims of the Orlando nightclub massacre.

People who attended the 1 p.m. memorial service sent personal messages to those affected by the shooting by signing a large banner at the auditorium's entrance.

The Blood Mobile was also stationed on-site for those who were interested in donating blood to help the surviving victims, many of whom are still recovering in various hospitals in Orlando.

People who attended the event said it's not only about showing support for the victims in Orlando, but also for the entire LGBT community.

"It's horrifying to think that something like that would happen in Orlando could maybe happen here," Wanda Francis said. "And so, I come to show our solidarity and to show them that we love them and that we are here for them."

The memorial  included performances by the Gay Men's Chorus of South Florida and remarks by Fort Lauderdale Vice Mayor Dean J. Trantalis and U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Shultz.

The congresswoman received a loud round of applause as she spoke about the importance of gun control.

"They should not be able to commit the carnage that happened on Sunday with a weapon of mass destruction," she said.

The city of Fort Lauderdale is asking that those who are able please donate to the One Orlando Fund established by Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer or Equality Florida's GoFundMe page, which will assist the victims' families.

http://www.local10.com/news/orlando-nightclub-shooting/city-of-fort-lauderdale-hosts-memorial-for-victims-of-orlando-nightclub-massacre

f t # e