The nation is still grieving after a gunman opened fire on a gay night club in Orlando early Sunday morning, killing 49.
Local residents are expected to mourn and honor victims at a gathering tomorrow night at Park Plaza in Galesburg at 7:30 p.m.
Galesburg resident, Candace Whitman is organizing the event for “anyone who wants to honor victims of the Orlando shooting.”
She’s encouraging anyone who would like to give a speech, read a poem, sing a song to come and do so.
Whitman tells WGIL she’s hoping to have candles and pictures of the victims available that night but encourages interested participants to bring flowers and/or gay-pride flags.
“I do have some friends that were personally impacted who knew friends who had died in the Orlando shooting,” Whitman says. “And I feel a personal attachment to the victims and so I feel that it’s important to honor them and give honor people the opportunity to honor them as well.”
Vigils and remembrance ceremonies have been held all over the country and state since the attack on Sunday.
The Associated Press reported earlier this week a vigil was held in Chicago’s Boystown neighborhood, a small gathering took place at a Unitarian church in Springfield and a vigil was held in Champaign’s West Side Park Tuesday.
