Mayor of London Sadiq Khan vows to protect LGBT Londoners at Orlando vigil
The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has spoken at a vigil for the victims of the Orlando Pulse bar mass shooting to vow to keep Londoners safe.
Khan, the newly elected London Mayor, spoke at the event which saw thousands of people out on the streets of London’s Soho, in memory of those lost in the Pulse bar shooting yesterday which killed 50, and injured more than 50 others.
He told PinkNews: “This crime against the LGBT community in London was a crime against all of us and we stand shoulder to shoulders with the victims and remember their families as well. This is an attack on our freedoms and values. It is important that we double our efforts to be vigilant and to show solidarity.
Khan also paid tribute to other atrocities including the victims of the Admiral Duncan nail bomb which took place in 1999, and which killed three and injured around 70.
“It’s important to be here tonight because we in London, the LGBT community has been on the receiving end of murderous homophobic attacks in the past, and we remember those who passed away here in 1999.
He added: “We are making sure we review our security and keep Londoners safe. The Met police know this is one of their priorities.
Thousands gathered at the vigil in London to join hands and hold moments of silence in solidarity with the community in Orlando, and all of the victims of the shooting which took place at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando.
Across the UK and around the world vigils took place in cities and towns, and gatherings will take place throughout the week to show solidarity with those in Orlando.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn spoke to PinkNews at the vigil and addressed those who commit hate crimes around the world with a powerful message of defiance.
50 people were killed and 53 injured yesterday in the shocking terrorist hate crime attack, which saw a gunman open fire inside The Pulse gay bar in Orlando, Florida.
ISIS has since claimed responsibility for the attack, which was perpetrated by US citizen Omar Mateen. The majority of the victims were Latino.
In a statement, President Obama mourned the victims of the homophobic hate crime attack and called for greater restrictions on arms sales.
In response, Republican nominee Donald Trump said Obama should resign for failing to rally against Islam in his comments.
