Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Federal judge sides with OSF in insurance suit over wildfire smoke ... Ashland week abatement deadline is Wednesday ... Ticket availability ... Federal judge sides with OSF in insurance suit over wildfire smoke ... Ashland week abatement deadline is Wednesday ... Ticket availability ... TERRORISM Plaza gathering commemorates Orlando victims Speakers call for fellowship with others, limiting access to assault rifles Comment By Julie Akins For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Julie Akins For the Tidings Posted Jun. 13, 2016 at 8:43 PM By Julie Akins For the Tidings Posted Jun. 13, 2016 at 8:43 PM » RELATED CONTENT • Ashland group marks National Gun Violence Awareness Day • Quilt project's vision: An America with fewer gun deaths • Herb Rothschild Jr.: Memorializing lives » Social News Amid a sea of hearts in chalk, a giant rainbow flag floated through the Ashland Plaza on Monday to remember the people killed at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, on Sunday morning. Southern Oregon lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender and queer activists told an overflow crowd assembled that they stood for peace and justice. "I'm here to stand in solidarity for our brothers and sisters who died in Orlando. We have a long way to go to start accepting people. There's a big difference between tolerance and acceptance," said Gina Duquenne of Southern Oregon Pride. She took to the microphone next to Ashland Mayor John Stromberg as dozens held hands circling the Plaza. Vowing to never quit until all Americans are safe, Duquenne told the crowd, “Honey, the best is yet to come.” Business owner, Southern Oregon University instructor and former city Councilor Dennis Slattery joined the group, urging everyone present to continue showing up and demanding change. He urged those gathered not to let themselves get caught up in hate or be involved in racial or religious bigotry in making reference to the shooter who identified as Islamic. “We lost Muhammad Ali last week," Slattery said. "Think of him and think of the face of Islam.” Sunday’s shooting is the most deadly in U.S. history and also the worst hate crime against the LGBTQ community to date in terms of sheer numbers and violence. Some 50 were killed and 53 injured, mostly gay and Latino, as they danced at the Pulse nightclub when the gunman came in with an assault rifle and opened fire. Most were caught off guard and weren’t sure what was happening until they saw the bodies dropping and recognized the sounds as gunfire, according to the accounts of survivors. The killer died in a shootout with police before dawn Sunday. Vigils took place Sunday and Monday across the country to remember and memorialize the slaughter. The Plaza gathering was one of many vigils. Oregon Shakespeare Festival also held a small remembrance on the bricks and churches in the area offered prayers and silence for those who died. Residents who are constructing the Vision Quilt, which aims to bring awareness of gun violence, joined the Plaza demonstration for peace and remembrance. The group hopes to encourage gun legislation which would make assault rifles and high-powered magazines harder to access, as well as implementing other practices to prevent gun deaths. “We all need to make this a national priority. We need to ban assault rifles. Together we can prevent gun violence,” said Cathy DeForest of Vision Quilt. Few at the vigil discussed the radicalized Islamic man, Omar Mateen, who carried out the crime. Despite Mateen’s claims to be connected to terrorist groups, evidence indicates he had no assistance outside of the United States. The FBI investigated him for inflammatory remarks several times. However, there was not enough information gathered to arrest him or prevent him from buying the assault rifle he used in the mass shooting. It’s a loophole that deeply concerns DuQuenne, who said, “ The left hand doesn’t know what the right hand is doing. When you’ve got a guy on three FBI watch lists and he can buy an assault rifle something is wrong. We need legislation. We need to stop people from buying these.” Larry Mannino sat on the periphery in a purple peace T-shirt with a group of friends. “We all came down to lend our support. We’re all one. We’re all Americans,” he said. Mayor Stromberg told the crowd, “It’s so important we all stand together, that we make sure to hold on to each other.” Duquenne echoed his feelings as she rallied the crowd, saying “We’re going to turn this grief into hope!” As the crowd grew, people widened the circle and chanted, “We are one! We are one!” Songs of peace began and faded, the flag shivered in the center and passing cars honked in support. Slowly the Plaza began to empty and the noise settled. Among the remnants of the crowd were couples holding each other in silence and a small group of women holding quilts, asking “Will you sign this so we know you were here?” Duquenne looks up and tells those listening, “I’m always going to fight. I don’t believe in injustice.” An hour later the Plaza was left with just a few exchanging quiet conversation as they walked over rainbow hearts chalked on the paving stones, past flowers and back to their lives, far from Orlando. Email Ashland freelance writer Julie Akins at [email protected] and follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/ @julieakins. By Julie Akins For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Julie Akins For the Tidings Posted Jun. 13, 2016 at 8:43 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. DailyTidings.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501