Press Contact: media[@]hispanicfederation.org
Orlando, FL – Ten years ago today, 49 people were killed and 58 people were injured at Pulse, a night club in Orlando, Florida that was targeted because it offered a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community. The shooting was the deadliest terrorist attack in the United States since the September 11 attacks, and the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history until the 2017 Las Vegas shooting. Below is a remembrance from Frankie Miranda, President and CEO of Hispanic Federation.
“Today, we remember the 49 lives taken at Pulse nightclub in Orlando on June 12, 2016.
We honor their memories, celebrate the vibrant lives they lived, and stand with the families, friends, survivors, and communities forever changed by a senseless act of gun violence.
The Pulse tragedy was a devastating attack on a safe place for the LGBTQ community – a space where people gathered to find joy, connection, and belonging. It also struck at the heart of the Latine community as many of those we lost had roots in Puerto Rico and other parts of Latin America. Their absence continues to be felt across families throughout Orlando and beyond.
Honoring their legacy demands action. As we reflect on that night, we recognize that among the many important challenges facing our country, there is a dire need for strong gun reform. We must do more to develop safe spaces and to enact policies that will prevent the spread of gun violence that has continued across the country. True remembrance means continuing to work toward a future where communities can gather, celebrate, and live without fear of gun violence.
As we remember the Orlando 49, we reaffirm the importance of love, dignity, inclusion, and the right for every person to live openly and safely. We honor the intersection of LGBTQ+ and Latine identities that made Pulse a home for so many.
We say their names loudly. We remember their stories. We carry their light forward. Forty-nine lives. Forty-nine stories. Forever remembered.”
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About Hispanic Federation
Hispanic Federation (HF) is a nonprofit membership and advocacy organization, founded in 1990, committed to empowering and advancing the Hispanic community, with a focus on low-income, marginalized, and immigrant Latine. With programs in 43 states and territories, HF’s focus areas include immigration, economic empowerment, civic engagement, disaster relief, philanthropy, education, health, and the environment. HF also maintains ongoing public education campaigns and meets the organizational development needs of its member agencies through grant-making and capacity-building assistance.
