The Northern Pride Society is planning a vigil in Prince George this evening for the victims of this weekends mass shooting in Orlando.
A gunman stormed the a gay nightclub just before closing on Sunday morning, taking 49 lives and injuring 53 others. The shooter, 29 year old Omar Mateen of New York, dialed 911 to pledge allegiance to ISIS prior to the attack.
Krystal Vandenberg with the Northern Pride Society was in Quesnel for Pride celebrations over the weekend. When she woke up on Sunday and heard the news she started shaking, feeling “horror and upset”.
She says Pride festivals across the world in the coming weeks will be extra important this year.
“Pride has always been an act of resistance… it was born out of saying ‘We are here, we exist. No matter what you do, no matter how much you beat us, kill us and say slurs at us, no matter how much you try to say we can’t exist, we are going to stay here we are going to keep living.’”
“I think this month especially we have to keep saying, we are going to keep living and honor the lives that were lost.”
This evening’s vigil will be held in Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park, running from 730-830p.
“We will support our LGBTQ community with Prince George and show support for those if they are upset and in fear right now, especially since we live in a bit more Northern and conservative town.” Vandenberg said
It will be held at the bandstand and will feature several speakers. More info can be found here on Facebook.
Prince George’s Pride Weekend begins July 8th.