HOBOKEN — Just before Wednesday night’s City Council meeting began in Hoboken, hundreds of residents stood outside City Hall with white candles, under both the American flag and a gay pride flag, and spoke of love and equality.
Members of the local LGBT and Muslim communities were there to share their sentiments at a candlelight vigil for the 49 victims of the Sunday-night shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla.
Rabbi Robert Scheinberg of the United Synagogue of Hoboken and Father Gregory Morgan of All Saints Episcopal Parish led the crowd in prayers.
Two members of Hoboken’s City Council also spoke at the event. Michael DeFusco — whom Mayor Dawn Zimmer introduced as the city’s first openly LGBT councilman — and Ravinder Bhalla, the first Sikh councilman, both shared their thoughts.
Shayan Farooqi of the Jersey City Islamic Learning Center condemned the attack.
“Over the last 1400 years, Islam has a long history of protecting the vulnerable and voiceless,” Farooqi said. “American Muslims stand with you in your time of tragedy so that one day, we can walk together in times of joy.”
Another vigil will be held in Union City this Tuesday at noon.
For more on the Hoboken vigil, see this weekend’s council cover story in the Hoboken Reporter print edition or scroll down hudsonreporter.com to the Hoboken news section. – Gianluca D’Elia
Hoboken residents, officials, Muslim clergy speak at vigil for Orlando victims
