Hundreds Pay Tribute To 49 Victims Of Pulse Nightclub Shooting

ORLANDO, FL -- The nightclub where 49 people were massacred on June 12, 2016, could have become a focal point for hate and prejudice, said Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs.

But the people of Orlando wouldn't allow that to happen, she told the crowd gathered for the second annual Pulse Remembrance Ceremony on Tuesday.

"If we don't tell our half of the story, this event will forever go down in the history books as the day that evil reigned and brought terrific pain and suffering to Orlando," she said. "But when the sun rose that next morning, evil had not won. There is no amount of evil that could turn back the overwhelming reaction of the human spirit."

Pulse Shooting Victims Remembered On Second Anniversary

Two years after a gunman opened fire on the patrons and employees of the gay nightclub, "we still feel the sadness and all the pain," Jacobs said. "It's still real. It never really goes away but all the love helps muffle it."

At the same time, the tragedy brought about an increased sense of understanding and tolerance for the LGBT community, she said.

"It was hard for anybody in this community to ignore the fact that we are one people and want to be treated equally and to love who we want to love," Jacobs said. "If you can’t do that, what’s the point of being here?
It doesn’t matter who you love; it’s that you love. I know much pain still exists, but we are all better people for the tragedy that we witnessed."

Jacobs said she is proud to live in a community where the rainbow flag flies from the county's administration building and the community works hand in hand to turn a site of tragedy into a place of healing.

The remembrance ceremony, organized by the nonprofit OnePulse Foundation, took place on the site of the nightclub, which has been turned into an interim memorial to those who died.

Almost as if planned, a rainbow appeared in the sky above the ceremony as Jacobs and Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer read a proclamation declaring June 12 Orlando United Day -- A Day of Love and Kindness.

Images via OnePulse Foundation and Getty Images