Those who spoke offered words of solace and a largely positive message focused on uniting Chicagoans and supporting its marginalized communities. After packing the Center on Halsted from the lobby to the rafters, dozens more assembled outside its doors, writing messages to Orlando and leaving behind tributes in memory of the victims. Hundreds turned out for Boystown's second vigil honoring the 49 people slain and 53 wounded in Sunday's attack.
compassion and caring, and no amount of hateful words or bigotry will ever set our community, our heritage backward." "Allow me to remind you that this is not our culture, to fall prey to this hatred," Lopez said of the Latino community. Raymond Lopez (15th) listen during the #WeAreOrlando vigil at the Center on Halsted. Officials estimate 90 percent of the Orlando victims are Latino, and more than half killed are of Puerto Rican origin. And where there is fear, we in the city stand for hope."įor the gunman to select a Latin music night for his attack made for "a double hate crime on both Latinos and LGBT," said Ald.
"Where there is intolerance, we show compassion. "When there is hate, we of the City of Chicago bring love," Emanuel said. The mayor called on "the city of big shoulders, the city of big hearts" to stand with the Hispanic and gay communities struck by the mass shooting at Pulse night club in Orlando. "But," he continued, "it does not leave you powerless."Įmanuel joined members of the LGBT community during a vigil Monday evening at the Center on Halsted, 3656 N. BOYSTOWN - Mayor Rahm Emanuel acknowledged that the horrors of the deadliest shooting in American history "may leave you speechless."