Love, not fear: Tampa rallies for Orlando
TAMPA (FOX 13) - In the wake of the Orlando nightclub attack, emotions were running high in Tampa. A vigil was held in Ybor City this evening outside the Metro Wellness Center.
An estimated 500 to 600 people gathered for a heartfelt tribute to the victims of the attack, and many of the attendees pledged to continue spreading messages of love, not fear.
"Because I'm not afraid. I'm hurt. There's not one person here that would say probably something different," Tiffany White tearfully offered. "We have to stand up and be strong, not only for the LGBT community but for our nation. This is an act of terrorism because of hate. We are not a group of individuals that hate anybody. We do nothing but love."
"Tolerance and love -- if anybody's ever been to a gay pride event, you know that everybody's welcome with open arms for who you are, not what you should be. I think that's an awesome message and I think the public needs to hear that," Jason Eames said.
"I was really touched, chilled by what happened in Orlando and I want to bear witness tonight -- affirm life and affirm loving your neighbor and affirm loving everybody, whether they be gay straight, or anything in between, whether they be Muslim, Christian, Jewish," Pat Kemp added. "I just want to be here with this group memorializing what occurred in Orlando."
Meanwhile across the bay, dozens of people gathered outside the courthouse in downtown St. Petersburg. They held a candlelight vigil and prayed for the victims.