ORLANDO ATTACK: THE DANCE MUSIC WORLD REACTS
Standing strong with all affected by the shootings at Club Pulse...
Over the weekend the deadliest mass shooting in America’s history left 50 dead and more than 50 injured at Club Pulse in Orlando, Florida. A lone gunman opened fire at 2AM on Sunday (12th June) at the venue with more than 100 people inside, in an attack that is believed to have been motivated by homophobia.
The gunman, reported to be 29-year-old Omar Mateen, is a US citizen that had emigrated from Afghanistan. He was said to be armed with a rifle, handgun and “some sort of device”. An on-duty officer at the club returned fire, before a SWAT team stormed the club, rescuing the 30 remaining survivors in the venue and killing Mateen.
Club Pulse is one of Orlando’s premier LGBT venues. The attacker’s father, Seddique Mateen, said that his son had a “grudge in his heart” after seeing two men kissing in Miami, in an online post that condemned his actions. He also added that the fate of the gay community “is not in the hands of humans” as only God can judge.
As news of the attack broke, the dance music community was fast to react, condemning the gunman’s actions at Club Pulse.
Horrendous news about 50 shot dead in gay club in Orlando, what should be a safe space for people to be themselves. Thoughts to all affected
— DJ Mag (@DJmag) June 12, 2016
50 dead
53 wounded
lives ended
lives shattered
The full horror of this shooting is only starting to hit us all
I feel unconsolable sadness— Boy George (@BoyGeorge) June 13, 2016
How to stand up to the gun lobby? How to break down the power of the NRA? This has got to stop
— Annie Mac (@AnnieMac) June 12, 2016
Dance music community gotta show up in solidarity. No gay clubs = no disco = no house. Our Subcultural heritage is political don't forget
— LOUISAHHH!!! (@LOUISAHHHh) June 13, 2016
what the hell is going on with this planet? feel like i'm constantly rubbing my eyes in disbelief at the things that go on. heartbreaking.
— l l ɐ ɥ ǝ u ʎ ʌ (@vynehall) June 12, 2016
Shame on anyone who agrees with the atrocious event that happened today.... I will be helping by donating money to the victims of Orlando
— Dillon Francis (@DILLONFRANCIS) June 13, 2016
Saddened and sickened to hear of the news in Orlando. We will dance with a heavy heart, tonight.
— smartbar chicago (@SmartBar) June 12, 2016
This gives us hope for humanity https://t.co/qpqJpremlE
— Plastician (@djplastician) June 12, 2016
Horrific homophobic incident in the US. How many more have to die before some sort of gun control is enacted? https://t.co/6HAfgx2UiJ
— Carl Loben (@CarlLoben) June 12, 2016
— carl craig (@carlcraignet) June 12, 2016
We need more love out here
— Ty Dolla $ign (@tydollasign) June 12, 2016
My heart goes out to what happened in Orlando. This is horrible. Please tell the people close to you you love them today :(
— Alison Wonderland (@awonderdj) June 12, 2016
(Photo via: AP)
Rob McCallum is DJ Mag’s digital news writer. Follow him on Twitter here.