After 50 people were shot and killed at Orlando, Florida gay nightclub early Saturday morning—the worst mass shooting in American history—thousands of people gathered in the Castro to mourn and honor the victims.
San Francisco also paid respect by lowering the Pride flag to half-staff and illuminating City Hall in rainbow colors typically reserved for Pride weekend.
In memorial of the mass shooting’s victims, a huge crowd of supporters gathered at Harvey Milk Plaza at Market and Castro where they waved rainbow flags and carried candles.
A handful of local politicians spoke before the crowd, like state Senator Tom Leno and Assemblyperson Tom Ammiano, before the group marched en masse to Civic Center Plaza and City Hall.
The city also confirmed that Pride weekend will continue this year but with a marked increased police presence.
"While there are no known threats to San Francisco, the San Francisco Police Department will be increasing police presence in places of high public concentration including shopping, transit, and entertainment areas, the City's Castro District and LGBT venues as well our mosques to ensure safety for everyone," SFPD’s Sargent Michael Andraychak said in a statement.
San Francisco Pride, billed as the nation’s largest gathering of the LGBT community, weekend happens June 25 - 26.
- Pulse gay nightclub shooting in Orlando: what we know [Vox]
- In Honor Of Orlando Shooting Victims, Castro Lowers Pride Flag To Half-Mast [SFist]
- San Francisco vows that its own Pride celebration will go on [LA Times]
- SFPD Vows Increased Police Presence In Castro For Pride Month Following Orlando Shooting [SFist]
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