It is just over a week since Orlando, Florida was devastated by the largest mass shooting in modern American history.
On Saturday night/Sunday morning of last week, a man entered a gay nightclub called Pulse and opened fire. By the end of the night, 49 patrons of the club had lost their lives and another 53 were injured, while the gunman himself was shot by police.
It was the deadliest mass shooting by a single gunman in the country’s history, and it came just one night after singer Christina Grimmie was shot and killed during a performance in the same city.
On Saturday night of this week, MLS side Orlando City SC hosted their first home game since the shootings and paid tribute to the victims. First, they kept seats free ahead of their meeting with San Jose in honour of the dead, tying balloons of various colours to the seats instead.
Honoring the 49 victims of the Pulse Shooting and Christina Grimmie.#OrlandoUnited pic.twitter.com/gJNBtcbUWu
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) June 18, 2016
In addition to this, the corner flags sported rainbow flags associated with the LGBT movement in a show of solidarity with the community.
Tonight's corner flags. #OrlandoUnited pic.twitter.com/ZpeziHQ5ZK
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) June 18, 2016
Then, as the clock ticked over to 49 minutes during the game, players and fans paused for a moment of silence in memory of those who had lost their lives in the city over the past few days.
A moment of silence in honor of the 49 victims of the Orlando tragedy #OrlandoUnited https://t.co/H3JaNjsfiI
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 19, 2016
May they rest in power.
