Michigan Vigils Held Following Florida Nightclub Massacre
LANSING, Mich. (WWJ/AP) - Michigan vigils are being held in honor of those killed and injured during a massacre at a gay nightclub in Florida.
Hundreds gathered in Ferndale Sunday night for a vigil to remember the lives lost and to show support for the lesbian, gay, transgender, and bi-sexual community.
Jalisa Abad lives in Detroit but grew up in Florida and was at the Pulse Nightclub as recently as two years ago and knew two of the 50 killed Sunday reports WWJ's legal analyst, Charlie Langton.
"I knew Edward Sotomayor - he worked for a cruise company that did cruises for gay functions and gay events and Anthony Laureano (possibly Anthony Luis Laureanodisla, 25-years-old) worked in the club -- he was a female impersonator,"says Abad.
CBS News lists among the victims, Sotomayor as 34-years-old, a caring energetic man known for wearing a silly top hat on cruises, said David Sotomayor, who identified himself as the victim's cousin.
Abad says this action comes from hatred and "probably not really understanding what our struggle is."
She says that this particular nightclub was very popular and a safe place for members of the LGBT community. "They are just very open to helping our LGBT community meaning that it's really sad and unfortunate this happened - especially in Orlando."
She hopes to raise money to go toward the healthcare costs of the 53 injured in the attack.
Ferndale's Mayor Dave Coulter said their community is on heightened alert since the Orlando shooting.
"Our police officers in conjunction with the Oakland County Sheriff's Department are on heightened alert," said Coulter. "We're taking extra precautions - taking second looks at all our LGBT businesses and just letting folks know that there is protection out there."
"This was not an attack on the LGBT community , it was an attack on all of us," said Ric Beattie.
Others attended the Motor City Pride festival in downtown Detroit in a show of support.
The Lansing State Journal reports dozens of candlelit paper bags decorated the steps of the state Capitol in Lansing on Sunday as more than 100 people gathered.
Alysa Hodgson, president of the Lansing Association for Human Rights, says it's an "unspeakable tragedy" and "we're all here because we love each other." Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero pledged to "redouble efforts to make sure Lansing is a safe place for everyone."
More memorial events in Michigan are planned Monday, including a vigil at Laurence Technological University (LTU) at noon.
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