Update: In a press conference Monday morning, Orlando police confirmed that 49 people had been killed and 53 injured early Sunday morning atOrlando's Pulse gay nightclub in the deadliest mass shooting in recent U.S. history. After opening fire on the crowd, an individual named Omar Mateen had taken hostages and was ultimately killed in a stand-off with police; Mateen had called 911 and pledged allegiance to the Islamic State shortly before the massacre. Orlando mayor Buddy Dyer declared a state of emergency, and the massacre is being investigated as an act of terrorism.
The victims' names were released by the city of Orlando on its website as their next of kin were informed. Here are some ways to help the Orlando shooting victims and their loved ones; you can also donate to the victims' fund, as well as express your solidarity with the LGBTQ community byposting a tribute online. You can also attend a vigil near you to honor the victims.
Earlier: In the early hours of Sunday morning, a gunman opened fire in an Orlando gay nightclub, leaving 50 people dead and more than 50 in the hospital. The incident has been deemed the biggest mass shooting in U.S. history. Given the timing of this tragedy, Sunday night's Tony Awards are being dedicated to the Orlando victims. But that's not all — in light of the shooting, Hamilton has decided to drop muskets from their performance at the Tonys, according to the New York Times' theater critic Michael Paulson. This is a significant and meaningful move, since it shows respect for the victims and their families.
Hamilton tells the story of founding father Alexander Hamilton and the American Revolution. There's even a song called "Guns and Ships." The fact that they decided to remove muskets from their performance shows that they're taking a stance on gun control. Whether for political reasons or out of respect, it still sends a strong message. If a musical all about the nation's founding can go a night without bearing arms, maybe people can reconsider the notion that stricter gun control ruins the Second Amendment. Stricter gun laws aren't trying to go against the country's founding principles; instead, such legislation can hopefully help avoid future tragedies by being more cautious about whose hands weapons get into. That's all that gun control is about — trying to put an end to senseless violence.
Following the news of the shooting, Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda showed support for Orlando and the LGBT community on Twitter.
Knowing how talented the Hamilton cast is, they'll likely nail their Tonys performance — even if they're changing it up. And the reason for doing so makes the group all the more admirable. As the saying goes on, the show must go on, so bravo to Hamilton for doing so in a respectful way.
If you want to get involved yourself, you can check out this list of six ways to fight for stronger gun control. You can also donate blood to the Orlando victims. Any support can go a long way.
