Justin Bieber slammed for using Orlando shooting hashtag to promote tour
Pop superstar Justin Bieber has been criticised for appropriating a hashtag started in solidarity with the victims of the Orlando Pulse shooting, in order to promote his tour.
UPDATE: Justin Bieber paid tribute to the 49 victims killed at the Orlando Pulse at this gig in the city
The ‘Baby’ singer tweeted on Thursday using the ‘#OrlandoStrong’ hashtag, despite not having publicly acknowledged that the Orlando Pulse shooting was a hate attack against the LGBT+ community.
He tweeted: “Up next…. #OrlandoStrong #PurposeTour.”
Since the tweet, Bieber’s followers have continually used it to express their excitement, alongside his ‘#PurposeTour’ hashtag, but many did not acknowledge the actual meaning of the hashtag.
It was started in solidarity with the victims of a mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub which left 49 dead and 53 injured. Many used it to show support for the community in Orlando, Florida, and to raise funds for the survivors and families devastated by the hate attack.
While Bieber had previously used the #OrlandoStrong hashtag to announce that he would not cancel his performance at the Amway Center, Orlando, he has not publicly spoken about the attack on the LGBT community.
In a tweet on 16 June, he wrote: “For all those asking no I won’t cancel the Orlando show. I stand with Orlando in support. Love you Orlando!”
A small number of fans did acknowledge the tragedy, responding to Bieber’s tweet to say he should dedicate the concert to the victims of the Pulse shooting.
