ORLANDO -- Thousands of people gathered in downtown Orlando Monday evening for a vigil to support the victims and survivors of the Pulse nightclub mass shooting. The shooting early Sunday morning left 49 people dead and dozens more injured. It was the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history.
The people in the above were some of the victims.
Forty-nine people were shot dead after a gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside a crowded gay nightclub in Orlando
The massacre turned from an active shooting to a hostage situation after Mateen was inside the club. He called 911 and pledged allegiance to the Islamic State and mentioned explosives and bombs
Many in the crowd at the vigil Monday evening say they were inspired to attend because Pulse played a huge role in their lives as gays and lesbians.
Cathleen Daus, now 36 says, "It was a place that a young 20-year-old who wasn't openly gay felt safe for the first time." She worked at Pulse in her twenties. "Pulse gave me confidence, made me realize I was normal and so much like everyone else."
The vigil was held on the lawn of the Dr. Phillips Center, the area's main performing arts venue. It's also the location of a makeshift memorial, where folks have been leaving flowers, candles and notes for the victims. At the vigil, CBS Orlando affiliate WKMG said a bell was rung 49 times for each victim.
Candlelight and chilling silence as 49 bells ring for each victim lost in the tragic shooting #OrlandoUnited pic.twitter.com/5XI6iAelCj
— News 6 WKMG (@news6wkmg) June 14, 2016
Across the U.S., vigils were held Monday to honor the victims.
ALASKA
The Alaska House of Representatives stood for a moment of silence Monday to honor the Orlando victims, at the request of Rep. Matt Claman, a Democrat. The Senate doesn't have a floor session scheduled until Thursday.
BOSTON
Hundreds of people gathered in Boston to pay tribute to the victims.
Boston Mayor Martin Walsh and Gov. Charlie Baker attended Monday night's candlelight vigil at City Hall Plaza, which was organized by Walsh's office. Many people carried rainbow-colored flags and signs calling for peace. At times they held and comforted each other in a show of solidarity.
Songs were sung and speakers addressed the crowd in both English and Spanish. Walsh has invited the public to sign a condolence book and pride flag at City Hall that will be sent to Orlando.
CALIFORNIA
The rainbow colors of the gay pride flag flew Monday on the side of the California Capitol and on the floor of the Senate -- a first for the Senate, according to President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon, a Democrat.
In Southern California, the Los Angeles LGBT Center has organized a rally and vigil outside City Hall on Monday evening, one of a number of events around the state.
In San Francisco, home to one of the nation's largest gay communities, police said more officers would be patrolling popular LGBT venues and local mosques in the weeks ahead. The city's gay pride celebration and parade are set for June 25 and 26. Scott Wiener, who represents the Castro District on the city Board of Supervisors, said he intends to host a meeting this week to involve owners of gay nightclubs, bars and restaurants in planning discussions with police.
Tim Eicher, who co-owns four bars in the Castro, said he and the owners of other LGBT venues "are doing everything possible to ensure that we keep our employees and customers safe."
COLORADO
Vigils are planned around the state Monday, with one of the biggest in Denver's Cheesman Park. Meanwhile, organizers of Denver's PrideFest say next weekend's festival will go ahead with tight security, including metal detectors and fences.
Mateen, 29, killed 49 people in the Orlando gay club Pulse on Sunday and injured 53 others.