Vigil to be held in Watsonville for Pulse nightclub shooting victims

Vigils are being held across the country and here on the Central Coast for the victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting in Florida.

It has been two years since 49 people were killed in the massacre.

Here on the Central Coast, residents are remembering the lives lost in their own way.

Along with Diversity Center Santa Cruz County, Tuesday’s vigil was hosted by Pajaro Valley Pride. Though they’ve only been around three years, this is the second year they’ve remembered the victims of the Pulse Night Club shooting.

The group gathered at Watsonville Plaza welcoming everyone to remember each of the 49 lives lost.

Pictures of those victims formed a circle around the pride flag as those in attendance read each name.

Though Watsonville is thousands of miles from Orlando, the vigil’s organizers say it was it was important that they honored the lives lost and not let the tragedy silence LGBTQ voices.

“This tragedy could have happened here at home, it could have happened in this little town and that resonates,” said Jorge Guillen, president of Pajaro Valley Pride, “The majority of people who lost their lives were Latinos, queer Latinos, and this community is similar to that community.”

Pajaro Valley Pride says the goal Tuesday was honoring the victims with action and say the vigil was just one way they’ll be doing that.

They say they’re planning their pride celebration August 19th at Watsonville City Plaza to continue to push for equality.