Photo Credit: Andy Garcia
Carolina de la Fuente / Staff writer
“An attack on Orlando is an attack on all of us.”
University president, Mark Rosenberg said these words to a full room in the Graham Center during the vigil held on June 13, for the victims of the gay nightclub shooting in Orlando.
“Hate crimes are heinous; they tear at the fabric of society and at the fabric of our souls,” said Rosenberg. “At times like this, we have to find the strength within ourselves and in solidarity with our community to rededicate ourselves to the norms that enhance and fortify our civility.”
President Mark B. Rosenberg setting down his candle at the vigil on Monday, June 13.
Omar Mateen, a 29-year old security guard born in New York, killed 49 and wounded 53 at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida. Officials reported him pledging allegiance to the leader of ISIS during his 911 call, as well as stating his solidarity with the Boston Marathon bombers.
A somber Rosenberg asked the crowd of students, faculty and staff to examine the safety of their communities, the importance of self-examination and inner strength and the challenges of hate in society.
“These victims could have been our loved ones, could have been our neighbors, could have been us,” said Rosenberg. “As Panthers, we have a shared set of values at our FIU. These values reflect positively on who we are as individuals and who we are as an institution that brings us together.”
“We want to reiterate to our commitment of creating a healthy and safe environment for all members of our community, and for the LGBTQA community most certainly,” he said.
FIU’s community gathering inside GC 140 to remember those who were lost in the tragedy on Monday, June 13.
The associate director for Multicultural Programs and Services and LGBTQA Initiatives, Gisela P. Vega had said, “I ask that you please keep the victims and their families in your thoughts and in your prayers. Especially [for] one of our own.”
“Our [alumnus], Laura Vargas; please give a special prayer for her,” said Vega. “She is currently in the hospital in Orlando.”
The crowd watching the live stream of the vigil ceremony on Monday, June 13 in the GC pit.
Crowds gathered around the GC pit to hear the live stream of FIU’s vigil and stood in line to participate in the candlelight ceremony.
Helen Gonzalez, a faculty member of Undergraduate Education, said it’s a mix of emotions for her.
“Frustration, anger. Anger mostly. Where you’re trying to make sense of something that there is no way to make sense of,” said Gonzalez. “People are looking for leaders to step up. Either people are going to step up and become a leader, or the people already in place need to address it.”
The president of Stonewall Pride Alliance, Daniel Capote, said he made sure he was spreading support to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, especially by updating the organization’s social media accounts.
“We know why we exist,” said Capote. “Stonewall exists to provide support for LGBTQ students. And now we are here, unfortunately.”
Capote spent the whole weekend spreading comfort and support to all members of his community.
“You’ll be okay. We’ll be okay. We are community forged in fire. All it does is harden our resolve to persist,” Capote said.
The FIU community gathering together to share the final moments of FIU’s candle-light vigil on Monday, June 13.
The vigil concluded with a song, “Amazing Grace” sung by Korrin Anderson, a faculty member of Student Affairs, then proceeded with a candlelight vigil in the GC pit where students and faculty took part in placing a candle on the floor in the shape of a heart.
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