Scores of people, including from the LGBT community, cut across religious lines to hold a vigil in Diversity Plaza in Jackson Heights, Queens, June 12 to affirm their unity, deplore extremism and honor the victims of Orlando massacre.
Within hours of the news of Orlando mayhem, openly gay City Councilman Daniel Dromm (D-Jackson Heights) reached out to Muslim, Sikh, and Hindu community leaders as well as elected officials and LGBT activists, urging them to condemn the tragic incident and to stand in solidarity.
The Times Ledger of Queens reported that mourners packed the Diversity Plaza near the 74th Street/ Roosevelt Avenue for the vigil that was also joined by some officials, including Letitia James, the city’s public advocate.
Ali Najmi, president of the Muslim Democratic Club of New York, said, “We simply condemn this horrible, dreadful attack. Members of the LGBT community have been our strongest allies,’ he was quoted as saying.
James called for a moment of silence to remember the victims of the shooting.“Fifty lives lost, 50 reasons to stand together,” she said, adding that “one criminal individual will not be allowed to define who we are.”
In a short opening statement, said simply, “I don’t want this incident to separate us. Love conquers hate.”
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