Social media reacts to shooting tragedy with #PrayersForOrlando
In the grim aftermath of the massacre at a gay nightclub in Orlando -- now the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history -- celebrities, politicians, and people around the world have flocked to various social media channels to express tremendous grief over yet another senseless shooting tragedy, and to offer unanimous support to victims, their families, and the LGBT community.
Immediately after reports of the incident surfaced online, alarmed social media users began posting concerns and condolences under the hashtags #PrayForOrlando, #PrayersForOrlando, and #PulseShooting.
Rather than #prayersfororlando let's make #changefororlando Is this out tipping point? Ask your reps where they stand. Demand change.@HRC
— Jamie Lee Curtis (@jamieleecurtis) June 12, 2016
broken to my core by this Orlando shooting! Endless 🙏. This has been a horrific week 4 gun crime,when is this going stop? #PrayersForOrlando
— Aubrey O'Day (@AubreyODay) June 12, 2016
#prayfororlando My heart goes out to all the families and friends. pic.twitter.com/y19k5fXKpR
— Lil' Kim (@LilKim) June 12, 2016
I'm gutted over the news in Orlando- the tears will not stop. My thoughts are w my gay brothers and sisters and their families.
— Lance Bass (@LanceBass) June 12, 2016
As further details about the incident developed, Facebook activated its Safety Check option and another hashtag surfaced prominently--#EndGunViolence-- which has now spurred an even larger heated conversation about gun control.
Facebook activates Safety Check after Orlando nightclub shooting
How many people have to be killed before we act as a nation to #EndGunViolence? #Orlando @Everytown @MomsDemand https://t.co/UBeBearjF2
— Julianne Moore (@_juliannemoore) June 12, 2016
The phrase "another mass shooting" does not have to be a part of the American vocabulary. We CAN #EndGunViolence. pic.twitter.com/qaMgjwdx9C
— Moms Demand Action (@MomsDemand) June 12, 2016
Nearly 12 hours after the tragic shooting took place, solidarity continues to shine through social media with the emergence of new posts and hashtags: #becauseofOrlando:
I'm distraught that the LGBTQ community has lost its sense of safety and safe spaces. We must rebuild this confidence #BecauseOfOrlando.
— Raymond Braun (@raymondbraun) June 12, 2016
reading #becauseoforlando tweets being sent by teens and tearing up. man. pic.twitter.com/jAkqzzqwUm
— Taylor Trudon (@taylortrudon) June 12, 2016
As with the Paris and Brussels attacks that shocked the world just months ago, social media proves its usefulness as a tool to spread awareness and information about safety, and provides a home to turn to for consolation and comfort.
My heart is broken #PrayersForOrlando #PrayForPeaceOnEarth pic.twitter.com/QOkBtvD60j
— I. Marlene King (@imarleneking) June 12, 2016