Candlelight vigils held across Australia to honour Orlando shooting victims

Candlelight vigils are being held in Australia's major cities to remember the victims of a massacre at a gay nightclub in Florida which left at least 50 people dead.

People gather to mourn, honour, and remember the victims of the Orlando nightclub mass shooting in Newtown, in Sydney

People gather to mourn, honour, and remember the victims of the Orlando nightclub mass shooting in Newtown, in Sydney. Source: AAP

Hundreds gathered with candles and rainbow flags in Sydney's Taylor Square, where former Prime Minister Tony Abbott's sister Christine Forster and her partner Virginia held hands as they joined others who surrounded a nature strip at Taylor Square that was covered in flowers, rainbow flags and the word "Orlando" spelled out by candles.

A similar vigil was held in Newtown while landmarks, such as the Harbour Bridge, have been lit up to show support for the 50 people killed and more than 50 people injured by a gunman inside crowded Orlando club Pulse early on Sunday.
The rainbow flag flew above the Sydney Town Hall in solidarity with the LGBTQI community in Florida as Lord Mayor Clover Moore said she was "horrified and appalled by the ugly, evil violence that's caused this attack".

In Canberra, the Greens said they were cancelling a Queen's birthday cake-eating stunt at Parliament House planned as part of a push to make Australia a republic.

Sydney Town Hall was also lit up pink on Monday night.

Melbourne

In Melbourne, hundreds turned out at a rainbow crossing on the corner of Gertrude and Smith Streets in Fitzroy to pay respect to the victims of the massacre.

"Today we grieve with our LGBTI family and allies in the USA," Victoria's gender and sexuality commissioner Rowena Allen told Fairfax.

"Thank God we have better gun laws in Australia ... We still have people that hate us."

Brisbane

A vigil organised by group Brisbane Pride has taken place in Reddacliff Place.

The vigil in the central part of the city is designed to allow people to "express their grief and mourn" the attack on their community in America", Brisbane Pride President Deeje Hancock told the Brisbane times.

"This morning LGBTIQA+ communities the world over awoke to the heart breaking news of the worst mass shooting in the history of the United States," he said.

"This was an attack on our community and the depth of shock and mourning runs as deeply in Brisbane as it does anywhere"

Adelaide

Hundreds of South Australians stood in silence at Elder Park to honour those killed.


SA Premier Jay Weatherill said Adelaide stands “in solidarity” with those who are grieving.
“Their love and compassion and their disgust at this event overwhelmed the small but despicable acts,” he said.
“When they look around the world and they see us express our heartfelt sorrow, it gives them strength to help them cope.

“We commit to eliminate the ideas that give rise to these behaviour.”

The crowd then stood in a minute silence.

Perth

James Street Ampitheatre in the Perth Cultural Centre hosted a vigil.


 


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3 min read
Published 13 June 2016 6:44pm
Updated 14 June 2016 6:38am
Source: AAP


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