"Fifty gay and gay-friendly people were killed," she added. "All they want to talk about is the name of the person who did it. "It's terrible that all they are talking about is international terrorism before they realize it's a hate crime," she said, breaking down in tears. Kyre Stucklin, 45, lamented that the focus was more on the gunman's possible links to terror groups than on the fact he targeted the LGBT community. "I've been coming to the parade for 20 years and last night's event was clearly a step backward in our culture." "We're all still in shock," said attorney Perry Handy, 48. Many of those attending the event weren't even aware of the Florida shooting or the number of victims until they arrived. "We're just going to live our lives, educate people to not be homophobic, racist, against Arab people, Islamophobic and scared all the time." Join the millions of LGBTQ+ people and our allies who have proudly supported LA Pride since 1970, and help make a positive and. "If we must all live in fear then we just don't leave the house," he said, declining to be identified. For over 50 years, Christopher Street West Association, the nonprofit organizers of the world famous LA Pride Parade & Festival has championed equality, diversity, and inclusion in the Los Angeles community and beyond. One Israeli spectator who survived an attack on a gay pride march in Jerusalem last year in which six people were stabbed, one fatally, said the slaughter in Orlando was clear evidence that no place was safe. "Today is yet another example in a long line of examples of why we need more rights, more protection for the LGBT community and how we need to combat hatred with love," said Matt Reents, 32, public affairs spokesman for the British consulate in Los Angeles, which took part in the event.
Several people said the carnage made them think twice about attending the parade but decided a heavy turnout was the best answer. "As we remember them today at our moment of silence, we must continue to show our pride, not just today but every day." "Today, we are heartbroken that so many of our brothers, sisters and allies were lost in this tragic attack," organizers of the Los Angeles parade said in a statement.
"We are here to march, to celebrate, and to mourn," he told the crowd estimated at 150,000 people.Īuthorities identified the gunman behind Sunday's attack in Orlando as 29-year-old Omar Mateen, a US citizen of Afghan descent, who is believed to have pledged allegiance to the Islamic State radical group before the massacre. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, who marched waving a rainbow-colored flag and carrying a sign that read "We love Orlando," said the violence once again showed the heavy price paid from easily accessible weapons.
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James Howell, 20, was detained at dawn with a car full of weapons, ammunition and powder for explosives, according to police who said he had no apparent connection to the carnage in Orlando.Īuthorities said they considered calling off the parade in Los Angeles but decided to go ahead with the festivities with a beefed up police presence.