Hundreds gathered in Orlando for the 10th annual Community Rainbow Run, an event dedicated to honoring the 49 victims of the Pulse nightclub tragedy. This 4.9-kilometer race, held near Orlando City Hall, serves as a poignant reminder of the lives lost on June 12, 2016, in one of the deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history.
Participants, including Orlando Commissioner Patty Sheehan, ran in memory of those who perished, emphasizing the event’s role in fostering remembrance and healing. Sheehan, who ran in memory of her friends Eddie, Simon, and Amanda Alvear, expressed the importance of the event in keeping the victims’ memories alive.
The Community Rainbow Run was initiated by University of Central Florida graduate students in 2017 to mark the first anniversary of the Pulse shooting. It has since become an annual tradition, focusing on community support and healing.
Proceeds from the event are earmarked for the construction of a permanent memorial at the former Pulse nightclub site. Sheehan highlighted the significance of this memorial as a place for reflection and remembrance, stating, “We’re going to make this happen. I think Orlando is going to be really proud of this.”
The event also touched on recent city decisions, such as not appealing a ruling regarding a painted rainbow crosswalk near the Pulse site. Sheehan explained that city leaders decided against an appeal due to its unlikely success, aiming to be strategic in their actions.
As Orlando approaches the 10th anniversary of the Pulse tragedy, events like the Community Rainbow Run play a crucial role in ensuring the victims are never forgotten, while supporting efforts to create a lasting tribute to their memory.
Original reporting: WESH Orlando — read the source article.
