From Mayor Warren :
The recent attack in Orlando is an attack on us all. We stand united with the LGBTQ community and with the City of Orlando as we offer our sincerest condolences and prayers to those who lost loved ones.
I am hosting a community vigil this Thursday June 16th at 7:45pm on the front steps of City Hall, 1000 Commonwealth Ave. I hope you will join me as we stand together as a community and show our support for the victims and their families.
Sincerely,
Mayor Setti Warren
I’m glad we are doing this tonight, people in our city are really hurting. It will help to be around friends and the community.
For those who may want to read it, below is a copy of the State Senate’s resolution condemning the Orlando attack:
CONDEMNING THE TERRORIST ATTACK COMMITTED AT THE PULSE NIGHTCLUB AND EXPRESSING THE COMMONWEALTH’S DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO THE PEOPLE OF FLORIDA.
WHEREAS, IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS OF JUNE 12, 2016, A TERRORIST ASSAILANT ATTACKED THE PULSE NIGHTCLUB IN ORLANDO, FLORIDA, KILLING 49 PEOPLE AND WOUNDING AT LEAST 53 OTHERS; AND
WHEREAS, THERE WERE MANY VICTIMS OF THIS HEINOUS ACT OF VIOLENCE; AND
WHEREAS, AMONG THOSE KILLED WAS STANLEY ALMODOVAR III, OF THE CITY OF SPRINGFIELD WHO WAS A PATRON OF THE NIGHTCLUB AND HAD RECENTLY MOVED TO FLORIDA; AND
WHEREAS, ALSO KILLED IN THE ATTACK WAS KIM MORRIS OF THE CITY OF NORTHAMPTON WHO HAD MOVED TO FLORIDA TO CARE FOR HER MOTHER AND HAD ONLY WORKED AT PULSE FOR 3 WEEKS BEFORE THE ATTACK OCCURRED; AND
WHEREAS, JEFFREY RODRIGUEZ, A NATIVE OF THE CITY OF LEOMINSTER, REMAINS HOSPITALIZED AND IN CRITICAL CONDITION; AND
WHEREAS, ANGEL COLON, A NATIVE OF THE TOWN OF FRAMINGHAM WAS ALSO WOUNDED; AND
WHEREAS, THIS TRAGIC EVENT CONSTITUTES THE DEADLIEST ACT OF TERROR COMMITTED IN THE UNITED STATES SINCE SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 AND THE DEADLIEST TARGETED ATTACK AGAINST THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY IN THE HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES; AND
WHEREAS, WITH AN ENDURING COMMITMENT TO RESILIENCE IN THE FACE OF TERRORISM, THE MASSACHUSETTS SENATE CONDEMNS THE ATROCITY AT THE PULSE NIGHTCLUB AND AVOWS ITS SUPPORT TO THE FAMILIES AFFECTED, THE LATINO COMMUNITY, THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY AND ALL THOSE IN THE UNITED STATES WHO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THIS SENSELESS TRAGEDY; AND
WHEREAS, THE MASSACHUSETTS SENATE RECOGNIZES THE FACT THAT THIS ATTACK WAS, IN ESSENCE, AN ATTACK ON IMPORTANT FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLES OF OUR COUNTRY AND THAT EVERY CITIZEN IS ENTITLED TO LIFE, LIBERTY AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS; AND
WHEREAS, WHILE EXPERIENCING THE PROFOUND SADNESS AND SENSE OF LOSS CAUSED BY THE DEATHS AND INJURIES RESULTING FROM THIS INCIDENT, THE MASSACHUSETTS SENATE REMAINS STEADFAST IN ITS RESOLVE TO CONDEMN TERROR AND VIOLENCE AND SUPPORT AND DEFEND FREEDOM AND PROTECT THE LIVES OF ALL CITIZENS OF THE COMMONWEALTH AND ALL AMERICANS; NOW THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED, THAT THE MASSACHUSETTS SENATE HEREBY CONDEMNS THE VIOLENT TERRORIST ATTACK PERPETRATED ON OUR FELLOW CITIZENS AND STANDS IN SOLIDARITY WITH ALL THOSE AFFECTED BY THIS TRAGEDY ACROSS OUR NATION; AND BE IT FURTHER
Congratulations and thanks to the mayor for a really thoughtful event last night. I was especially moved by the comments from Rev. Erin Splaine of the First Unitarian Society and activist Holly Ryan.