2020 Democrats mark three years since Pulse nightclub shooting

On the three-year anniversary of the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Fla., 2020 Democratic presidential hopefuls paid tribute to the 49 victims and renewed calls for gun control. 

Wednesday marked three years since the 2016 shooting that authorities described as both a hate crime and an act of terror. Nearly 50 people were killed and dozens of others were injured when a gunman opened fire at the nightclub, a popular spot with the local LGBTQ and Hispanic communities. 

The third anniversary comes just after Democratic Florida Reps. Darren Soto, Stephanie Murphy and Val Demings introduced legislation to designate the club as a national memorial.

Former San Antonio Mayor and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro (D) tweeted Wednesday morning: “Three years ago, 49 lives were lost in a mass shooting targeting the Pulse nightclub—the deadliest attack on the LGBTQ community in history. We must act to end these tragedies, and prevent those that would harm LGBTQ individuals from obtaining firearms.”

Three years ago, 49 lives were lost in a mass shooting targeting the Pulse nightclub—the deadliest attack on the LGBTQ community in history.

We must act to end these tragedies, and prevent those that would harm LGBTQ individuals from obtaining firearms. https://t.co/rC9lCfHrlb

— Julián Castro (@JulianCastro) June 12, 2019

Former Vice President Joe Biden said, “The horrific attack on Pulse Nightclub still shakes our nation to the core.” Biden shared a photo of himself with former President Obama visiting a memorial for the victims in Orlando after the attack.

Three years later, the horrific attack on Pulse Nightclub still shakes our nation to the core. A night that should have been a celebration of love and life was cut short by unspeakable terror. Today, we remember those we lost — including so many in the LGBTQ community. pic.twitter.com/vdNyZEjlRr

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) June 12, 2019

{mosads}In an email and tweet to supporters marking the anniversary, South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg expressed support for the LGBTQ, Latino and black communities. Buttigieg, who would be the first openly gay president if elected, added that Congress should “deliver on common-sense gun safety laws supported by an American majority,” including universal background checks, a ban on assault weapons and incentivizing hate crime legislation at the state level.

“It was an attack on people who look like me, and an attack on people who look nothing like me. It was an attack on all of us. It was an attack on individuals expressing their sexuality, their heritage, their gender, and their freedom,” Buttigieg wrote. 

Former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D) posted a video of himself addressing a group of supporters about his campaign’s LGBTQ policy proposals, such as reversing President Trump’s ban on transgender troops in the military, fighting violence against transgender women of color, appointing federal judges who believe in the “full civil rights of every single American” and ending conversion therapy. 

Three years after Pulse, we honor the 49 lives that were senselessly taken with our actions. With a commitment to ending violence against LGBTQ+ Americans. With a commitment to fighting discrimination. And with a commitment to securing full equality. pic.twitter.com/fgZc4ilgAL

— Beto O’Rourke (@BetoORourke) June 12, 2019  

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) called the shooting “an attack on our LGBTQ+ and Latinx communities” in a tweet and sent out an email to campaign supporters calling for “commonsense gun reform.” 

When 49 people were murdered at Pulse three years ago, it was an attack on our LGBTQ+ and Latinx communities. Today I’m remembering the victims and their loved ones, and I promise to #HonorThemWithAction by continuing to fight for #GunReformNow. pic.twitter.com/bxrCRLx6bp

— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) June 12, 2019

Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) tweeted, “Today we remember the 49 lives — mostly Latinx and LGBTQ+ — cut short from hate and gun violence three years ago. In their memory, let’s act to prevent the next heartbreak.”

She also shared the names of the 49 victims in a tweet from her official Senate account. 

Today we remember the 49 lives — mostly Latinx and LGBTQ+ — cut short from hate and gun violence three years ago. In their memory, let’s act to prevent the next heartbreak.

— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) June 12, 2019

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) tweeted “We remember the 49 lives lost to senseless gun violence and hate at the #Pulse nightclub in Orlando three years ago today. We must finally pass commonsense gun safety legislation, and continue the fight against hatred and bigotry in all its forms.”

We remember the 49 lives lost to senseless gun violence and hate at the #Pulse nightclub in Orlando three years ago today. We must finally pass commonsense gun safety legislation, and continue the fight against hatred and bigotry in all its forms.

— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) June 12, 2019

Sanders also retweeted a post from the March For Our Lives organization, accusing Republicans of being “in the pocket” of the NRA.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) remembered those injured and killed in the shooting, tweeting “During PRIDE month, we honor our progress but know how much work remains ahead to pass gun safety legislation and protect LGBTQAmericans with the Equality Act and more.”

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, meanwhile, called the attack an “unthinkable act of hate and terror” and told the LGBTQ community “this city sees you, we welcome you and we stand with you.”

It’s hard to believe that three years have passed since the horrific mass shooting at #Pulse in Orlando.

49 lives were cut short in an unthinkable act of hate and terror that shocked our country.

To the LGBTQ community: this city sees you, we welcome you and we stand with you. pic.twitter.com/rtqwWldSts

— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) June 12, 2019

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) tweeted “We must do more than remember the victims: We must fight to end gun violence, and refuse to accept homophobia, transphobia, and racism — wherever it takes root.”

Three years ago today, a shooter armed with hate and semi-automatic weapons murdered 49 people at Pulse nightclub.

We must do more than remember the victims: We must fight to end gun violence, and refuse to accept homophobia, transphobia, and racism—wherever it takes root.

— Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) June 12, 2019

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D), former Rep. John Delaney (D-Md.), Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), Montana Gov. Steve Bullock (D), Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.) also tweeted to mark the anniversary.

Today, the LGBTQ+ and Latinx communities are in my heart. Three years after #Pulse, we remember the 49 people taken too soon and #HonorThemWithAction. Every day, but especially today, we must recommit ourselves to ending gun violence in America.

— Jay Inslee (@JayInslee) June 12, 2019 

3 years ago today 49 lives were ended in the horrific shooting at The #Pulse Nightclub. Today, we remember those victims and their loved ones, and stand strong in support of the LGBTQ+ community.

— John Delaney (@JohnDelaney) June 12, 2019

We lost their lives at #Pulse. In Congress, @repjohnlewis led us to take a seat on the House Floor until Republicans would stand up and do what’s right. They never did. We sat for over 26 hours to honor the victims of Pulse. Our work has never stopped. https://t.co/vqVU5Mksgj

— Eric Swalwell (@ericswalwell) June 12, 2019

Three years ago, 49 lives were lost at #Pulse. Today we mourn them, celebrate them, and continue our fight in honor of their memories. Hate cannot win.

— Steve Bullock (@GovernorBullock) June 12, 2019

Three years ago today, we lost 49 remarkable people who enriched the lives of their friends, families, and communities. As we honor their memories, we also recommit to building a nation that is free of hate and violence. #pulse

— Michael Bennet (@MichaelBennet) June 12, 2019

Per @massshootingtrk, there have been 1,342 mass shootings in the United States in the 3 years since Pulse. We owe it to each and every victim to do everything in our power to end gun violence. #HonorThemWithAction

— Seth Moulton (@sethmoulton) June 12, 2019

Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) also addressed gun control legislation, vowing to “end the NRA’s reign” and “build a nation based on love and respect for one another.”

Three years ago at #Pulse nightclub, we lost 49 lives to hate. I still hold the pain of this tragedy deep in my heart.

As president, I will end the NRA’s reign & pass gun safety policy to save lives. We can—and we will—build a nation based on love & respect for one another.

— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) June 12, 2019

Former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper (D) also tweeted in support of #HonorThemWithAction.

3 years ago, our LGBTQ community was targeted by a domestic terrorist at #Pulse. 49 innocent people lost their lives.

We must protect one another from senseless hate and terror. This means passing strict federal gun laws. Anything less is unacceptable.#HonorThemWithAction

— John Hickenlooper (@Hickenlooper) June 12, 2019

And Miramar, Fla., Mayor Wayne Messam (D) tweeted that he would refuse to accept Congress’s lack of action on gun control as “the new norm.” 

Three years ago 49 lives were senselessly taken away from us at Pulse night club and yet no action from Washington. Is this the new norm? I refuse to accept this as the new norm and I will act to change this paradigm. Chip in $5 today. https://t.co/bTMrcTSTIK

— Wayne Messam (@WayneMessam) June 12, 2019

—This report was updated at 6:26 p.m.