One year ago today, a city came together amidst the aftermath of the largest mass shooting in the history of the United States. None believed Orlando would become the site of terrorism against the gay community. What followed the attack on Pulse nightclub Orlando were outpourings of support from every corner of the globe – the humanity of a city and the world brought out in full color.
Over 50,000+ Orlando residents walked along a rainbow-lit Lake Eola Park. Candles were being carried, lanterns released, crowds cheered as Orlando Police drove down Rosalind Avenue with their lights on, city officials hugged citizens and the barrier of anonymity was being broken between people of all kinds. Students, faculty, and administration filled all four floors of the Student Union to come together and mourn the loss of 49 souls, including 2 UCF Knights. Tens of thousands organized at the Citrus Bowl during an Orlando City Soccer match and within days displayed to the world how a city can come together – #WeAreOrlandoUnited.
Through candid posts and videos, the students at Knight News photographed and recorded history for millions of people to view. Though there are many stories to the events during and after Pulse, here are a few, on the ground, in breaking news, from the eyes of UCF students:
