Vigil Held for Orlando Massacre Victims

TYLER — Upwards of 200 people turned out Thursday evening at Tyler’s Bergfeld Park for a vigil honoring victims of the devastating Orlando attack last weekend. The event was hosted by groups representing the LGBT community and others. One of the organizers and speakers, Brenda McWilliams, says it was an occasion for “grieving and sharing our sorrow…and even in our sorrow, our hopes for a brighter future and more positive change.” She added that all of those are “elements of our common bond.” McWilliams says she hopes the violent shooting incident’s victims give people “courage to seek out and participate in conversations and community, not condemnation” and “courage to speak and act in ways that foster love and compassion, not hate and violence.”