Calls to back candlelight vigil in Portsmouth marking victims of Orlando shooting

A CANDLELIT vigil will be taking place in Portsmouth this evening to mark the victims of the Orlando nightclub massacre.
By The Newsroom
Published 17th Jun 2016, 13:17 BST
Updated 17th Jun 2016, 14:17 BST
Members of Capital City Pride in Washington and others from the LGBT community hold up letters spelling out "Orlando" to honor of the recent shooting at a gay nightclub (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)Members of Capital City Pride in Washington and others from the LGBT community hold up letters spelling out "Orlando" to honor of the recent shooting at a gay nightclub (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Members of Capital City Pride in Washington and others from the LGBT community hold up letters spelling out "Orlando" to honor of the recent shooting at a gay nightclub (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

The commemoration will be taking place on the steps of Guildhall, in Guildhall Square, from 6pm.

All residents in the city are invited to join tonight’s service.

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Organiser Andrew Bloomfield from Portsmouth said it was a vigil for the victims and the families of those killed and hurt in Pulse Orlando on Sunday,

But he said he felt the tragedy had been under-reported as the nightspot is a gay club, and that the Portsmouth event was driven by a need to make a visible show of solidarity.

‘If this had been an attack on anyone else it would have been front-page news everywhere,’ he said.

‘It’s one of the biggest terror attacks since 9/11 and the fact that it’s not been broadcast as much is disgraceful.

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‘It shows we are still a minority, that we are still second-class citizens, and that is vile.’

Forty-nine people died and 53 people were injured when terrorist Omar Mateen, 29, opened fire in the Florida nightclub on Saturday. He also killed himself.

He claimed allegiance to Islamic State before the shootings.