Page 4 - 6-17-16 Tuesday's Edition

Opinions
Readers Share Comments About Orlando Club Massacre
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
During the early morning hours of Sunday, June 12, a lone armed gunman entered the Pulse Nightclub in Or- lando. He opened fire on the patrons of the club and three hours later, what has been called the worst massacre in U. S. history, ended nearly 4 hours later. The gun- man, identified as 29-year-old Omar Mateen died after a gunfight with police. In the af- termath, 49 victims were killed and 53 others remain in vary- ing stages of recovery.
Mayor Bob Buckhorn
said, “Our deepest thoughts and prayers are with the City of Orlando and the victims and families of this senseless tragedy. Orlando is a strong and resilient community and will join together to overcome. We, at the City of Tampa, are here to do whatever we can to assist Mayor Buddy Dyer and the first responders as they investigate.
“This tragedy is particu- larly horrific for our GLBT
community and their families and Tampa stands in solidarity with them in their time of loss."
Tampa Police Chief Eric Ward said, “In the wake of the horrific shootings in Or- lando, the City of Tampa is pledging to do whatever it can to assist Orlando as it recovers from the tragedy.”
Chief Ward also said that the Orlando mass shooting ap- pears to be an isolated inci- dent, but he and his staff have been monitoring the situation closely. There is no evidence of any threat in Tampa, but given that the focus of this attack was a club that catered to the LGBT community, TPD will enhance coverage of similar clubs in Tampa.
“Chief Ward further said, “As always, we remain vigilant and we are doing all we can to keep our City safe. The mes- sage is that one that we have repeated many times: ‘If you see something, say something, and we will do something.’”
Rev. Karen Jackson Sims said, “Sad, sickening and evil. We must remember
that the light always will shine in the darkness. We are the light and must stand up against ALL evil. Praying for Orlando...praying for our Country.”
Billy Wheeler said, “The ongoing discussion on gun control must translate into reasonable action. I can think of few things more tasteless than "Christians" finger-wag- ging and dismissively quoting Scripture about the tragedy in Orlando.
“People haven't buried their loved ones or had time to process. It's as clueless and uncaring as offering a sermon when a person really needs physical sustenance. Knowl- edge is knowing what to say; wisdom is knowing when to say it.”
Ross Anderson said, “My first reaction was disbelief and shock. Then as I listen to multiply media reports, I be- came really concerned because all the signs were there that this young man was a threat to society just like the young man in South Carolina who shot several people at the church. We MUST learn to love one another BUT also put the right elected officials in of- fice who are going to pass laws that are for ALL people, not for a few.”
Ralph Smith said, “What a tragic event. It reminds us of
the need for some sort of gun control. I just can't under- stand why so much fire power is required by civilians. With that much fire power, the shooter was able to overwhelm club security, take hostages and 49 lives, who never had a chance.
“I also want to point out just how wrong Donald Trump was in his assessment when he tweeted ‘I called it when I asked for the ban.’ The shooter was an American citi- zen. He would not have been caught by any ban.”
West Tampa Organizations To Host Juneteenth Events
In West Tampa,
Kuluwm Studio, the
West Tampa Al-
liance, WURK Radio,
and the West Tampa
Community Activist
Organization will be
hosting an Emancipation Celebration from 3 p. m. to 8 p. m. at 2132 West Main Street on Saturday, June 18th.
The organizers of this celebration promise to have lots of en- tertainment, great food, and a reminder of what Juneteenth is, and what being Emancipated really means.
On Friday, June 17th, Eddie Adams and 100 Black Men will be hosting a luncheon at the Pepin Event Center on Dr. MLK Boulevard and 50th Street. The luncheon will begin at 12 noon.
On Sunday, there will be a Gospel Fest from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the same location with the theme, “Treat Him Like A King.”
The organizers said the 3-day event will be a cultural explosion of history, music, great food, and an opportunity to bring people closer together.
PAGE 4-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2016