Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Thousands Honor Orlando Shooting Victims At West Village Vigil



A large crowd assembled in Christopher Park across from the famed Stonewall Inn, the site of the famous “Stonewall Riots” in 1969. The names of the shooting victims were written in chalk surrounding GAY LIBERATION, the sculpture that honors the gay rights movement and commemorates the events at the Stonewall Inn opposite the park.  The sculpture by George Segal was unveiled in 1992 and depicts two standing males and two seated females.  It is a popular pilgrimage site for people honoring the LGBT struggle. 

Our public parks often play an important role as a gathering place in times of enormous tragedy.     (Photos: Geoffrey Croft/NYC Park Advocates) Click on images to enlarge


Manhattan

By Geoffrey Croft

Thousands of people gathered this evening in the West Village to pay their respects to the victims of the deadliest mass shooting in U.S history.  

They came to honor the forty-nine innocent people who were massacred, and fifty-three wounded during Sunday’s shooting spree at The Pulse, a club frequented by gay people in Orlando Florida.

People of all faiths, ages and sexual orientation came together on Monday night in the streets as one. 



Thousands of people turned out this evening for a vigil held in the West Village to pay respects to the victims of the Orlando Fl. killings, the deadliest mass shooting in U.S history.  


Attendees brought flowers, others held signs, some held each other, others cried.   

The crowd chanted, “New York Loves Orlando,”  and, “What do we want, gun control, when do we want it, now”,   along with popular LGBT slogans,   “We’re here, we’re queer get used to it.“


“It’s fitting tribute," John Cadue, 64, said while looking out at the large crowd and holding a sign outside the Stonewall Inn that read, Love Heals.  “United we stand,” said Cadue who moved to New York forty years ago.  “Love concurs everything. In the end love is all that matters.” he said.


As is often the case our public parks play an important role as a gathering place in times of enormous grief.

The crowd assembled in Christopher Park across from the famed Stonewall Inn, the site of the famous 1969 “Stonewall Riots.” 

The names of victims were written in chalk surrounding GAY LIBERATION, the George Segal (1924–2000) sculpture which honors the gay rights movement and commemorates the events at the Stonewall Inn opposite park.  The sculpture - unveiled in 1992 - depicts two standing males and two seated females is a popular pilgrimage site for people honoring the LGBT struggle. 

GAY LIBERATION, a sculpture by artist George Segal honors the gay rights movement and commemorates the events at the Stonewall Inn opposite the park.  


A steady flow of mourners placed flowers in front of the famed Stonewall Inn on Christopher Street which became an international symbol of the gay rights movement in the summer of 1969.  

After putting up for decades what the gay community thought were discriminatory and often violent policing, on June 28, 1969, patrons fought back against police after the bar was raided. The riots lasted three days, thirteen people were arrested.   

Decades later Stonewall became the first gay/lesbian site to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 

Mayor Bill De Blasio laying flowers on the sidewalk in front of the Stonewall Inn with wife Chirlane McCray, and Kurt Kelly, an owner of the Stonewall.  The bar on Christopher St. became an international symbol of the gay rights movement in the summer of 1969.


Elected officials including Governor Cuomo, Mayor de Blasio, Council Speaker Melissa Mark Viverito and Public Advocate Letitia James placed flowers on the sidewalk in front of Stonewall.

Governor Andrew Cuomo addresses the crowd at Waverly and Stonewall Pl. where elected officials urged New Yorkers to push for sensible gun control.   “How many people have to die before this federal government comes to its senses?” the Governor said to loud applause.  "Until we have a national policy non of us is safe.“ 


Governor Andrew Cuomo gave a stirring speech. The orange placard on the podium read, WE ARE ORLANDO.

“The frustration at a society that would allow a madman to buy an assault weapon has gone on for too long,”  Governor Cuomo said.

“We went through it at Sandy Hook. How many people have to die before this federal government comes to its senses? We had Columbine, we had Virginia Tech, We had Sandy Hook, We had San Bernardino. We had Aurora Colorado. When does it stop? We passed gun control in this state. We outlawed assault weapons in this state.  We know it can be done,” the Governor said to loud applause.

Mayor Bill de Blasio acknowledged Enrique Rios of Brooklyn who was visiting friends in Orlando for the weekend when he was killed.

 “We lost Enrique and 49 others. And it was more than an attack on 49 Americans. It was an attack on American values, and it was an attack on New York values. We believe in inclusion. We believe in a society filled with unity and the embrace of all people,” de Blasio said. “We do not accept anyone who would sow division or hatred.”

The Mayor also called out a presidential candidate.

"We do not accept the notion of any of our leaders sowing hatred and division, particularly in the wake of tragedy, and that means you, Donald Trump," de Blasio said to cheers.

Police Commissioner Bill Bratton also addressed the crowd.

Attendees held candles at the end of the vigil while the names of the victims were called out. 

Each name was met with the Spanish cry of "Presente!" from the crowd.


The entrance to Christopher Park on Seventh Avenue and West 4th Street.  

A large crowd gathers on W. 4th Street. 

The crowd listens to speakers under the watchfull eye of the police. 

A somber Mayor De Blasio, his wife Chirlane McCray, and Kurt Kelly, after paying their respects in front of the Stonewall Inn. 



Governor Andrew Cuomo waves to the crowd before laying flowers with his girlfriend Sandra Lee in front of the Stonewall Inn.



Looking across the eastern end of Christopher Park towards the Stonewall Inn.

(Photos: Geoffrey Croft/NYC Park Advocates) Click on images to enlarge


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