Draped in pride flags and holding candles, about 20 locals gathered in town for a vigil, June 12, to remember those who lost their lives in the worst mass shooting in U.S. history.
According to news reports, during the early hours of June 12, a gunman stormed into a popular gay nightclub in Orlando, Fla., killing 49 people and wounding at least 50 others.
For many who attended the candle light vigil the tragedy was a reminder of the persecution and hatred many in the LGBTQ community still face.
鈥淭oday we stand in solidarity,鈥� said Susan McCarthy, co-chair of the Jasper Pride Festival Society.
鈥淭here are no words that can express our deepest sympathies to the families and friends affected by this鈥攎ay our prayers reach them tonight.鈥�
She said she first heard about the shooting when she was in Edmonton participating in the tail end of the city鈥檚 pride events.
鈥淚 was feeling a lot of happiness and sadness, but this made me realize why we have pride events and why we have festivals,鈥� McCarthy said. 鈥淲hen I鈥檓 celebrating at pride events I always think we鈥檙e so advanced, but this just shows there鈥檚 still so much to be done.
鈥淗atred still exists and we need to work towards eliminating it.鈥�
Despite being out of town, McCarthy knew something had to be done in Jasper to show solidarity with the LGBTQ community in Orlando. During the drive from Edmonton, she contacted several of the society鈥檚 members who quickly organized the vigil.
鈥淚t was the important thing to do鈥攊t was the right thing to do,鈥� McCarthy said. 鈥淚 think we all just needed to come together and share some hugs.鈥�
As the crowd shed a few tears and laid candles and flowers at the feet of Jasper the Bear on Patricia Street, McCarthy invited others to share their thoughts about the attack.
The society鈥檚 community relations director, Mychol Ormandy said he was still struggling to wrap his head around what had happened.
鈥淎 gay bar is usually a safe place鈥攁 place to be with our friends and have a good time so for this guy to feel that it鈥檚 okay to go in there and annihilate whoever he feels like is absolutely repulsive,鈥� Ormandy said.
Despite the evening鈥檚 sombre atmosphere, McCarthy was able to find a silver lining.
She said the shootings have made her even more proud to live in a community where she feels safe to walk hand-in-hand with her partner.
鈥淵ou guys being here just further shows how connected we are as a community,鈥� McCarthy said. 鈥淲e are truly a community that believes in one another.鈥�
The short vigil ended with hugs and hot chocolate and most of the attendees stood around in silence long after the last candle had been laid.
Kayla Byrne
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