Boroughwide

Brooklyn stands with Vegas victims at Borough Hall vigil

October 4, 2017 Meaghan McGoldrick
Share this:

Brooklyn stood with Vegas Tuesday night, October 3 as local residents, advocacy groups and elected officials gathered at the steps of Brooklyn Borough Hall, 209 Joralemon Street, to honor those lives lost at the Route 91 Harvest Country Music Festival on Sunday, October 1.

“We should not have to have a [Vegas Vigil], but here we are,” tweeted Borough President Eric Adams following the event, stressing that attendees’ one demand is to “[End gun violence].”

About 20,000 concert-goers were attending the music festival Sunday night when, at around 10 p.m., shots rang out. The gunman — 64-year-old Stephen Paddock — fired from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel — across the way from the venue — killing at least 59 people and injuring more than 500. Paddock, of Mesquite, Nevada, had been staying in the hotel room since September 28. In it, 42 weapons were found.

“We need to be very clear that now is the time for everyday Americans to raise their voices, and come together to remove the threat of guns and violence from this country,” said Adams. “Americans should not have to gamble with their lives by merely being in public view.”

The attack is being referred to as the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history, surpassing the Orlando nightclub attack last year in which 50 people died and 53 were wounded.

“It is amazing how much power we have to actually deal with this craziness and do nothing,” contended Councilmember Jumaane Williams at the vigil. “There are two reasons we do nothing — because the gun lobby and the [National Rifle Association] want more money and our Republican congressmembers are cowards and they want another job and another term. Those are the only two reasons we don’t have what we need when it comes to gun control.”

Subscribe to our newsletters


Leave a Comment


Leave a Comment