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In pictures: the Orlando vigil in Old Compton Street

Written by
Kate Lloyd
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As two minutes silence fell over Soho at 7pm last night, it was hard not to feel overwhelmed with emotion.

Thousands of people had squeezed on to Old Compton Street to pay tribute to the 49 killed and 53 injured in Orlando gay club Pulse. And as we paid our respects, all you could see was a sea of people, rainbow flags and most-powerfully a sign reading 'love wins' held high above the crowd.

The period of reflection was broken with the release of rainbow-coloured balloons and the chant 'we're here, we're queer, we will not live in fear' before the London Gay Men's Choir sung a heartbreaking rendition of 'Bridge Over Troubled Water'.

Then, as the crowds dispersed, the evening transformed into a real life manifestation of the message 'we will not live in fear'. People lit candles and watched as a group of dancers Vogued to chants of 'RIP Orlando', inviting others to do the same. Previous strangers were talking, hugging and drinking together. 

Kate Lloyd

Ultimately the vigil was a powerful example of Londoners coming together, not only to pay tribute to those who died in the attack, but to show solidarity with members of the LGBTQA community around the world, proving that fear will not win.

We are proud of our city right now.

Kate Lloyd

Kate Lloyd

Kate Lloyd

 

It was so nice seeing all this love and solidarity yesterday. β€οΈπŸ’›πŸ’šπŸ’™πŸ’œ

A photo posted by Trenton Lee (@trentjlee) on

 

Vigil for Orlando.

A photo posted by DAMIEN ARNESS-DALTON (@damoid) on

 

#oldcomptonstreet #orlando #loveislove #lovewins #london #peace #unionjack

A photo posted by Jean-Pierre Bonello (@jpbonellophoto) on

 

A photo posted by Matthew Follows (@matthewafollows) on

 

Love will always win. #orlando #lovewins β€οΈπŸ’›πŸ’šπŸ’™πŸ’œ

A photo posted by izzy trimble (@trimblay) on

 

#londonstandswithorlando

A photo posted by jfacasey (@jfacasey) on

 

A photo posted by Tom Aspaul (@tom_aspaul) on

 

Proud to be part of #sohovigil #loveislove #standwithorlando

A photo posted by @christie.tucker on

 

A photo posted by stephaniebless (@stephaniebless) on

 

#lovewins at the vigil for the orlando victims β€οΈπŸ’›πŸ’šπŸ’™πŸ’œ

A photo posted by pops 🌸 (@_poppyrose) on

There's going to be another vigil in Vauxhall Gardens tonight. Find out more here.

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