London LGBTI community pays tribute to Orlando victims.
Silence took over the -otherwise- vibrant Old Compton street in Soho at 7 pm on Monday as Thousands gathered to mourn the 49 victims shot dead at Pulse gay club in Orlando.
Mourners gathered in front of the Admiral Duncan pub that witnessed the worst homophobic attack to ever occur in Britain 17 years ago: the nail bomb blast that killed three people and wounded around 70.
Before 6 pm the whole street was packed with people holding rainbow flags, candles, signs, balloons and flowers.
At exactly 7 pm the crowd observed two minutes of unbroken silence then 49 balloons — one for each person killed — were released into the air and the photos of the 49 victims were held.
A rendition of Simon and Garfunkel’s Bridge Over Troubled Water was performed by London Gay Men’s Chorus , followed by the crowds chanting: “We’re here, we’re queer, we will not live in fear.”
The Orlando shootings is considered to be the worst homophobic attack in modern history. A man called Omar Mateen opened fire inside Pulse gay club at 2 am. 49 were killed and 53 were wounded. He was shot dead by the police forces at around 5 am.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, mayor of London Sadiq Khan and Education Secretary Nicky Morgan were among the attendance.
Mourners filled Old Compton street until late at night, when candles were lit, flowers were laid and letters were written in honour of the victims.
