Rainbow Makes Poignant Appearance Over Orlando Vigil
Out of tragedy comes hope.
A beautiful rainbow appeared in the sky on Sunday asan estimated 50,000 peoplegathered in downtown Orlando to mourn the victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting.
A rainbow forms right before the#Pulsevigil at Lake Eola tonight#OrlandoLove#OrlandoUnited#OrlandoStrongpic.twitter.com/TZ7j8ZLDE6
— Josh Murdock (@professorjosh)June 19, 2016
The crowds, which had come together to pay tribute to the49 people killed byOmarMateen a week ago, were captivated as the multi-colored arc shone over Lake Eola Park shortly before the start of the memorial service.
"You know that's a sign," Traci Hines-McKenzie told CBS News.
It was "so perfect" and "just for us," added Brandon Register-Watford, who posted a video of the rainbow to Instagram.
A video posted by Brandon Register-Watford (@brandon_the_bearded) on Jun 19, 2016 at 4:29pm PDT
A photo posted by Orlando Live (@orlando.live) on Jun 19, 2016 at 4:34pm PDT
Wow, beautiful rainbow over at the Lake Eola vigil.@MyNews13pic.twitter.com/ulfOKJCRQn
— Hana (@HanaRoxanne)June 19, 2016
The band of color followed Tuesday's appearance of another rainbow over the nightclub, which was the scene of the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history.
As the sun set on Sunday, mourners held up candles to create what looked like a ring of fire around the lake. The names of all the victims were read aloud.
As the sun sets on Lake Eola, host of#OrlandoUnitedvigil, a rainbow to the right. ❤️💛💚💙💜pic.twitter.com/aOXxBe80SF
— Matt Ginella (@MattGinellaGC)June 19, 2016
50,000 have come out to#LakeEolafor tonight's#OrlandoUnitedvigil. This is why we#LoveOrlando!#OrlandoStrongpic.twitter.com/samuJm0LXu
— Visit Orlando (@VisitOrlando)June 20, 2016
Perfection.#EndGunViolence@LakeEolaPark#OrlandoStrong#OrlandoLove#OneLove#OneHeart#OnePulse#OneOrlandopic.twitter.com/1pMftqCJHg
— Lynn Penyak (@LynnPenyak)June 20, 2016
"Hate will not define us," said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, who was joined on stage by other city leaders. "Hate will not defeat us because we are one Orlando."
"Last Sunday was the worst day in the history of our community," Dyer added. "But we will not and have not been defined by a hate-filled act of a deranged killer."
