'Love is love:' Orlando shooting victims honoured with rainbow-themed tributes the world over
'We must honour the victims of this tragedy by continuing to embrace inclusively in the face of adversity'
All over the world, both online and off, bright and beautiful colours honour those affected by a dark and ugly event.
Rainbow flags, lights andart are splashed all over cities, towns and social media accounts as peopleexpress their outrage and sadness after 50 people were gunned down at a gay nightclub in Orlando in the middle of Pride month.
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Early Sunday morning,OmarMateenof Port St.Lucie, Fla., armed with an assault rifle, killed 50 people and injured 53 at the Pulse nightclub before he was shot and killed by police.
Officers have not speculated on his motivations, but many U.S. and world leaders have condemned the shooting the deadliest the nation's history as a hate crime targeting theLGBTcommunity.
We stand united with our LGBT community & its allies in the face of this unspeakable tragedy in #Orlando pic.twitter.com/jwCROtV2cQ
—@thereaIbanksy
"When a violent act targeting members of the LGBTQI2S community becomes the worst mass-shooting in U.S.history, the sense of hurt and loss resonates globally," Egale Canada, a national LGBTrights organization, said in a statement.
"We must honour the victims of this tragedy by continuing to embrace inclusively in the face of adversity, and demonstrate that hatred and violence accomplish nothing of value or merit."
Praying for more love and less hate. Praying for more peace and less violence. #PrayforOrlando pic.twitter.com/6cqqMnqJWG
—@lala
#pulseclub #ImWithYou Peace & Love to the victims, families & friends. pic.twitter.com/IzaGDanYdt
—@jefferyrhenry
Online, thousands of people have offered their condolences using the hashtags#PrayForOrlando, #LoveIsLoveand #ImWithThem.
Othershave draped rainbow filters over theirFacebook profile pictures to show their solidarity.
Cities all over the world including Toronto, Ottawa,Winnipeg and Montreal are holding vigils for the victims,hanging rainbow flags from their buildingsand lighting up their monuments in rainbow colours.
Toronto sign will be lit in colours of the rainbow today to honour the innocent victims in #Orlando.
—@JohnTory
In solidarity with #Orlando #TelAviv City Hall is lit up with the #USA flag and the flag of the #LGBTQ community pic.twitter.com/ULKR0BeR7N
—@MayorOfTelAviv
U.S. President Barack Obama said it was a "heartbreaking" day for LGBTcommunities and a reminder that any attack on Americans is an "attack on all of us."
"What is clear is that he was a person filled with hatred,"Obamasaid.
Tragedy in Orlando, @MayorSlyJames reports that the Bond Bridge will remain lit up rainbow colored in #solidarity pic.twitter.com/MsHVg4ojEL
—@Mather_Photo