Brooklyn stands with Orlando at Grand Army Plaza vigil

Brooklyn continued to stand with Orlando on Tuesday, June 14 as Grand Army Plaza played host to a unity vigil honoring the 49 lives lost in the Sunday, June 12 shooting at Pulse, a popular gay nightclub.

The vigil – which saw support from elected officials across the borough, LGBTQ community groups, Muslim and Hispanic community groups, anti-gun violence groups and more – was hosted by Public Advocate Letitia James in an effort to bring Brooklyn, and the rest of New York City, together in solidarity and in peace.

“We stand together united because our hope and faith can never be ripped apart,” James posted to Twitter during the event, proudly declaring that, “Love will always win.”

Also in attendance was the family of Brooklyn native Brenda Marquez McCool, a mother of 11 who was shot dead Sunday night shielding one of her sons from some of shooter Omar Mateen’s many bullets.

“Brenda was a fighter in every sense, and she died protecting her son,” said James of McCool. “The power of a mother’s love is unparalleled.”

Enrique Rios, a 25-year-old St. Francis student studying to be a social worker was also among those killed.