Vigils to be held in Kitchener, Waterloo following Orlando nightclub shooting

Two vigils are being planned in Kitchener and Waterloo this week to mourn the victims of the Orlando nightclub shooting.

"As Canadians, we need to remember that this is not just an attack on the LGBTQ community, but an attack on overall human rights," tri-Pride president Alex Chunaco said.

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On Saturday night, 50 people were killed and 53 others injured when 29-year-old Omar Mateen walked into Pulse nightclub in Orlando and opened fire. Mateen was killed in a shootout with police.

Vigils Tuesday, Thursday

One vigil will be held outside Kitchener city hall Tuesday evening starting at 8 p.m.

The Together We Heal event is being planned by tri-Pride, Spectrum Community Space, the City of Kitchener and the local Muslim community.

A second vigil is being organized by Waterloo Region's Rainbow Coalition and The Order nightclub. It will be held Thursday starting at 9 p.m. It will start atWaterloo Public Square and participants will thenwalk to The Order, where there will be an open mic forum for people to express themselves.

'Cowardly act of ignorance'

The management of The Order, which describes itself as a night club that is safe space "regardless of gender or sexual preference"posted to Facebook following the shooting.

"Words can not describe the feelings many of us are feeling," they wrote.

"This was both an act of terror and a hate crime against the LGBTQ+ community. We will however not be brought down by such a cowardly act of ignorance," they wrote. "We strive to provide a safe and open experience for everyone in the community and look forward to a future where this is simply a thing of the past."

The violence in Florida affects everyone, Chunaco said.

"By standing strong in our diversity, caring for one another, we heal through such tragedy," he said.

"No community is immune to acts of terrorism and hatred," he added.