Hundreds of people gathered in Barbara Hall Park on June 12, 2016, to hold vigil for the victims of the shooting that took place in a gay bar in Orlando, Florida, earlier that day.
The vigil has started. Barbara Hall Park is completely packed with people mourning the victims. pic.twitter.com/uQ4NtDtizH
— Daily Xtra (@dailyxtra) June 13, 2016
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Keynote speakers for the evening were Premier Kathleen Wynne, Toronto Mayor John Tory and Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam.
“Why Pride? Because of Orlando. That’s why Pride,” said Kathleen Wynne. (Nick Lachance/Daily Xtra)
And Twitter was awash with support as well:
This is pride. Toronto stands in solidarity with the LGBTQ community around the world #LoveIsLove pic.twitter.com/Tof8Qqrsdv
— John Tory (@JohnTory) June 13, 2016
Celebrating love & unity in the face of hatred @kristynwongtam El-Farouk @joe_cressy @Rob_Oliphant #canqueer pic.twitter.com/Oyem0TnAqq
— Cheri DiNovo (@CheriDiNovo) June 13, 2016
After several speakers, people came together for a moment of silence.
Candles are now being lit throughout the crowd at Barbara Hall Park. pic.twitter.com/NlVlUBirLr
— Daily Xtra (@dailyxtra) June 13, 2016
Following the vigil, Pride Toronto announced it will dedicate this year’s Pride parade to the victims of the Orlando shooting.
#PrideTO will dedicate this year’s Pride Parade to the victims of the mass shooting at Pulse nightclub. https://t.co/UHhIlwv96y
— Pride Toronto (@PrideToronto) June 13, 2016
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