New York Plans Memorial to Orlando Shooting Victims
There are plans for a memorial to be built in New York City to honor the 49 victims of the Orlando nightclub shooting. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the plans for a memorial on Sunday, June 26, during a press conference ahead of the city’s annual Pride Parade, one of the largest in the country.
A commission of 10 people will pick an artist’s rendering for the monument that will be built in Christopher Park, Hudson Park or Battery Park. Christopher Park is located across the street from the Stonewall Inn, and Cuomo said the Battery Park site would be “in the gaze of the Statue of Liberty.” The monument will also be dedicated to the victims of hate crimes.
Cuomo said he believes the shooting is another moment in history that will reinvigorate the LGBT community as it continues to fight for rights and against hate. He also said the state will begin running ads telling people if they feel threatened because of their diversity, they should come to New York. Everyone is welcome in New York, he said.
New York’s LGBT community started gathering at the Stonewall Inn on the day of the June 12 attack at Pulse for an unofficial vigil. The following night, thousands of people gathered in the same spot for an official vigil, where the names of all 49 vigils were read.
The news comes days after the Stonewall Inn was declared a national monument. A 1969 police raid at the gay bar in Greenwich Village that lead to riots is considered the start of the gay pride movement. Credit: YouTube/Gov. Andrew Cuomo
