'Hope will never be silent': Ferndale holds vigil to support Orlando victims
FERNDALE, Mich. (WJBK) - Across the world, a show of support is flowing for Orlando. That includes Detroit where a crowd gathered for a candlelight vigil to honor the victims.
Ferndale Pride and the City of Ferndale held the vigil Sunday night outside City Hall on 9 Mile Rd. But it was all of Metro Detroit who came together to send their love to those who are suffering right now in support of the victims injured and killed.
"I think it is amazing that there is so many of us of all different races, religions. Some LGBTQ, some others aren't - bringing together hope and love together to try and fight what the world is seeing in Orlando," Jennifer Miller said.
"I have been to Pulse, I have friends in Orlando that I called to make sure they didn't go out last night. I think it shows our attentiont to defy anyone that wants to terrorize us. It shows our intention to stand up and fight back," Rudy Serra told FOX 2's Josh Landon.
"When I heard about this I had to come out because I think people have to say 'no more'. I was looking on Facebook today and there a lot of posts saying 'no more' but we have to come together and say this not acceptable. It's not acceptable to want to harm others because they're not like you. It's not acceptable to want to harm others period. It's totally unacceptable," Jedonna Dinges said.
Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard also attended the vigil at city hall in Ferndale. He says he has been in contact with the sheriff in Orange County, Florida to see if there's anything Metro Detroit can do to help.
Bouchard says this is a new form of terrorism and one we're seeing happen way too often. He said it can happen anywhere.
"We've said for some time that ISIS is the most sophisticated, ideological internet purveryor of that (method) of get involved, if you can't join us here do it there. They've suggested targets, they've suggested the gay community, they've suggested military, they've suggested law enforcement. It's always been our biggest fear to have lone wolf attacks. We're a country of freedom and that gives us a lot of soft targets," Bouchard said.