Vigil shows solidarity after Orlando shooting

A memorial in Seattle to the victims of the Orlando nightclub shootings

The event is taking place on the steps of the Guildhall on Friday at 6pm, and is open to anyone who would like to attend.

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

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.

‘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.