Portland vigils in solidarity with Orlando

Portland held two vigils as a response to the mass murder at a gay bar in Orlando, Florida. The first vigil, sponsored by city officials, included speeches by the mayor and a song by the lesbian and gay men’s choruses. About two thousand people showed up, and we stood on the edge of the crowd, unable to hear anything, though there was a (sadly inadequate) sound system. The second vigil, held at sunset by the river, drew about two hundred people, was sponsored by local Trans activists, and was much quieter and more intimate. No officials were present, and there was no sound system, but the grief was palpable. Please see Extras. I didn’t get a photo of the speech that moved me most deeply, that of Alyssa Pagan, local Trans activist, who said, “I’m glad the first speakers called us to love, and not hate; but it’s also important to demand justice. I’m here to stand for justice for all people.”