MONTREAL – When Vincent Mousseau read the names of those killed in the Orlando shooting, it hit close to home.
“Every time I think about it, I’m like, that could have been me, that could have been my friends and it’s really important that we underline that,” he said.
As a way to show solidarity, he came up with the idea of writing down all the names of those who were killed, in chalk, outside the Beaudry Metro Station.
“We want to really show that there is international solidarity that is coming from Montreal towards the entire Queer and Transgender community that is affected by these issues,” Mousseau said.
Along with the coloured names, messages of hope filled the street.
Mousseau explained that the gesture is a way he and the community could grieve.
“It’s almost to act as a catharsis for our community – to say ‘this is the kind of mourning we need to have in our community at this time,'” he said.
Meanwhile, just a block away, a small impromptu vigil was held at Parc de L’espoir.
Crowds lit candles and chanted prayers.
Michelangelo Campisi, who organized the vigil, called for love in the face of violence.
He said he feels it’s important for people to come together and send their love to Orlando.
“I’ll be here, likely every night, at least to give some blessings and to connect,” he said. “To give a space for people to come together and heal together.”
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