Hundreds of people gathered at dawn today in the Florida resort city of Orlando to pay their respects to the 49 people killed by a gunman one year ago at the Pulse gay nightclub.The shooting spree on June 12, 2016 by Omar Mateen -- who pledged allegiance to the Islamic State before turning his weapons on reveler -- salso left dozens of people wounded. The building, soon to be converted into a museum, opened its doors at 2:00 am to relatives of the victims and survivors of the attack for a private ceremony attended by city officials in which the names of the dead were read out loud.
Hundreds of people gathered at dawn today in the Florida resort city of Orlando to pay their respects to the 49 people killed by a gunman one year ago at the Pulse gay nightclub.The shooting spree on June 12, 2016 by Omar Mateen -- who pledged allegiance to the Islamic State before turning his weapons on reveler -- also left dozens of people wounded. The building, soon to be converted into a museum, opened its doors at 2:00 am to relatives of the victims and survivors of the attack for a private ceremony attended by city officials in which the names of the dead were read out loud.
On the first anniversary of the worst mass shooting in modern US history, officials asked Americans to join in acts of "love and kindness" to honour victims of the three-hour rampage at the now-shuttered Pulse club, including survivors still reeling from emotional and physical wounds. Outside, a makeshift memorial was erected with the rainbow flags of the gay rights movement, pictures of the slain, flowers, candles, soft toys and other offerings. Vigils and rallies were planned across the United States in a show of solidarity with victims of the attack, which authorities called a hateful act against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people.
(With agency inputs)
1. Pulse nightclub
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The parking lot at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, is seen with mementos and displays honouring the 49 people who were killed one year ago during the mass shooting, in Orlando, Florida, US on April 25, 2017.
Image Courtesy: Reuters
2. Orlando mass-shooting memorial
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Guests react to the memorial outside the Pulse Nightclub on the one-year anniversary of the shooting in Orlando, Florida, US.
Image Courtesy: Reuters
3. Emotional first anniversary
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Orlando police department patrol officer Alison Clarke is embraced by Christine Gogicos while visiting the memorial outside the Pulse Nightclub on the one-year anniversary of the shooting in Orlando, Florida, US.
Image Courtesy: Reuters
4. Orlando United
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An Orlando first responder embraces Chelsea Nylen (R) as she reacts to the memorial outside the Pulse Nightclub on the one-year anniversary of the shooting in Orlando, Florida, US.
Image Courtesy: Reuters
5. Guests at the memorial
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Guests visiting the memorial outside the Pulse Nightclub on the one-year anniversary of the shooting raise their hands around a protester in Orlando, Florida, US.
Image Courtesy: Reuters
6. Pulse Angels
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The Pulse Angels march to the memorial outside the Pulse Nightclub on the one-year anniversary of the shooting in Orlando, Florida, US, June 12, 2017.
Image Courtesy: Reuters
7. Memorial wreaths
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Memorial wreaths line the wall outside the Pulse Nightclub on the one year anniversary of the shooting, in Orlando, Florida, US.
Image Courtesy: Reuters
8. Colourful Stones with messages
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Stones with messages for the victims and survivors are piled outside the Pulse Nightclub on the one year anniversary of the shooting, in Orlando, Florida, US.
Image Courtesy: Reuters
9. People place candles at the memorial
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Dillon Caldwell places a candle in the memorial setup outside the Pulse gay nightclub as he remembers those lost one year ago during a mass shooting in Orlando, Florida. Omar Mateen killed 49 people at the club a little after 2 a.m. on June 12, 2016.
Image Courtesy: AFP
10. Survivors
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Keion Carter, survivor of the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting, breaks down while speaking the audience during a memorial service and rally for the victims of the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting, down the street from the historic Stonewall Inn June 12, 2017 in New York City. Monday marks the one year anniversary of the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida that killed 49 people.
Image Courtesy: AFP
11. Orlando shooting memorial service
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People dressed in white hold photos of victims from the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting during a memorial service and rally down the street from the historic Stonewall Inn.
Image Courtesy: AFP
12. Pride
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A young woman paints her lips in the gay pride colors as she attends a one year anniversary memorial service for victims of the mass shooting at the Pulse gay nightclub being held at Lake Eola Park in Orlando, Florida.
Image Courtesy: AFP
13. Candle march
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People hold candles as they attend a one year anniversary memorial service for victims of the mass shooting at the Pulse gay nightclub being held at Lake Eola Park in Orlando, Florida.
Image Courtesy: AFP
