• Home
  • News
    • Business
    • Crime / Courts
    • Health / Medicine
    • Legislature
    • Politics / Govt
  • Sports
    • The Bill Pollock Show
  • Contact Us
    • Reporters
  • Affiliates
    • Affiliate Support

Missourinet

Your source for Missouri News and Sports

You are here: Home / News / Mid-Missouri vigil draws hundreds to honor Orlando nightclub victims

Mid-Missouri vigil draws hundreds to honor Orlando nightclub victims

June 14, 2016 By Alisa Nelson

Hundreds of mourners gathered Monday night at the Boone County Courthouse in Columbia to honor those killed Sunday in the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history. A gunman opened fire at an LGBT nightclub in Orlando, killing 49 people and injuring more than 50 others.

Musicians open the vigil at Boone County Courthouse in honor of the victims of the Orlando massacre. Photo courtesy of KSSZ.

Musicians open the vigil at Boone County Courthouse in honor of the victims of the Orlando massacre. Photo courtesy of KSSZ.

Rev. Sarah Klaassen of Rock Bridge Christian Church in Columbia said she wants other faith leaders to support those in the LGBTQ, Latino and Muslim communities and all those who experience hatred or threat. She says her congregation stands against bigotry.

“We are aware of the ways that abuse and hatred toward those of us who are lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender and queer continues even here in this community,” said Klaassen.

After prayers and opening remarks, members of multiple congregations from Columbia and advocacy groups from the University of Missouri read the names of the victims.

Speaker Tiff Melecio pointed out that a large number of the names were Latino, because the massacre happened at Pulse Nightclub’s Latin Night.

“This mass shooting has a lot of layers,” Melecio said. “Yes it was our community, the LGBTQ community, but it was also another one of my communities, the Latino community, the people of color community. As much as it is awesome there’s so many people here today, who are you here for?”

Organizer James Roark-Gruender spoke after Melecio, calling the dialogue between her and hecklers who interrupted her speech “uncomfortable.”

“We may not all agree on everything, but we agree we are all discriminated against, some more than others,” Roark-Gruender said. “I absolutely as a white privileged man admit that… Have a conversation with the person next to you; I guarantee you’ll never get this many diverse people in one room or atmosphere at one location. So please take advantage of that and talk to each other. Sometimes difficult things in life are uncomfortable.”

Vigils to honor the Orlando victims have also been held this week in St. Louis and Kansas City. Joplin will also have one at 8:30 p.m. Thursday in Landreth Park and Springfield is organizing a vigil for Friday at 7 p.m. at the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of the Ozarks.

 Brad Tregnago of KSSZ contributed to this story.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: News

Subscribe to our daily newsletter


Tweets by Missourinet

Sports

Missouri State Football earns share of Missouri Valley title–first since 1990

Missouri … [Read More...]

Arenado: “Just an amazing day, very thankful for it,” after his homer leads Cards to victory

Nolan … [Read More...]

Mizzou basketball adds former K-State guard

Mizzou … [Read More...]

Cardinals home opener today, Matheny vs LaRussa and Blues end their skid (AUDIO)

Cardinals … [Read More...]

Nicky Lopez making the most of his second chance with the Royals (AUDIO)

Royals … [Read More...]

More Sports

Tweets by missourisports

Archives

Opinion/Editorials

TwitterFacebook

Copyright © 2021 · Learfield News & Ag, LLC