KALAMAZOO (WKZO-AM) — Another huge crowd of mourners, supportive citizens and members of the LGBTQ community turned out for a memorial service in Bronson Park, this time to express condolences, vent anger and frustration and to bemoan the loss of life following the weekend assault on an Orlando night club and the death of 49 people.
Eyes in the crowd welled up as the names of the victims were read aloud.
Kalamazoo Gay Lesbian Resource Center Director Jay Maddock said news of the attack shook him to his core. He said nightclubs and pride festivals have been places of refuge where they could be themselves and an attack on the night club was a direct attack on a sanctuary for the LGBTQ community.
He implored those in political power to enact laws that protect LGBTQ lives and rights. He also promised his organization will push for change.
An emotional and impassioned Mayor Bobby Hopewell said we have spent too much time dealing with hate, intolerance and stupidity, and that we have become far too used to coping with mass murders.
Hopewell said he has become tired of having to speak at such events and wants to direct all that effort and energy instead into addressing the problems of gun safety and safety in the community.He wants the next gathering they have in Bronson Park to be a celebration of accomplishing those goals, instead of another gathering to mourn the community’s losses.
Rep. Jon Hoadley, D-Kalamazoo, quoted Martin Luther King Jr.
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that,” Hoadley said. “Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.”
Most of the speakers had a common theme: Mourn today, but tomorrow it’s time to get to work to improve the lives of all Americans and make sure such tragedies never happen again.
