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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has ordered the flags of local and state buildings to be hoisted at half-mast in memory of the sixth anniversary of the 2016 Pulse nightclub massacre in Orlando.
“Six years ago, on June 12, 2016, a shooter claiming allegiance to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant committed a horrific act of terrorism against LGBTQ and Hispanic communities at the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando.” wrote DeSantis. “At the time, it was the deadliest massacre in U.S. history.”
“As a sign of respect for the victims, their families and the many affected by this tragedy, I signed the attached Proclamation ordering that the flags of the United States and the State of Florida be flown at half-mast at all locations. and statewide buildings, facilities and land throughout the state of Florida, “he said.
The shooting left 49 dead and another 53 injured. The Republican governor named June 12 as “Pulse Memory Day” last year.
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Flowers adorn posters and images of those who died at the Pulse Nightclub Memorial on June 12, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. ((Photo by George Wilson Photo 2021 / Images DeFodi via Getty Images))
DeSantis has faced harsh criticism from the LGBTQ community for its support of legislation described by critics as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.
The Parents ’Rights to Education Act prohibits classroom discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity for third-grade and underage students and allows parents to sue school districts for this issue.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at a press conference at the Cox Science Center & Aquarium on June 8, 2022 in West Palm Beach, Florida. ((Photo by Joe Raedle / Getty Images))
In response to the legislation, Disney suspended the company’s political contributions to Florida, and DeSantis, in turn, led the state legislature in dissolving Disney’s Reedy Creek improvement district, which allowed the theme park to be governed.
Johanna Parker of Orlando leaves a bouquet of fresh flowers at the Pulse Nightclub Memorial on June 12, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. ((Photo by George Wilson Photo 2021 / Images DeFodi via Getty Images))
The Orlando Sun Sentinel reported that DeSantis signed a bill last year banning transgender athletes from competing in women’s and women’s sports and has tried to avoid Medicaid coverage for hormone therapy and drugs to block puberty. .
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Brandon Wolf, a survivor of Pulse with Equality Florida, a statewide LGBTQ civil rights organization, recently tore up DeSantis in an opinion piece, stating that the governor “has declared war on the LGBTQ community in Florida.” .
Danielle Wallace is a Fox News Digital journalist covering politics, crime, policing and more. Story tips can be sent to danielle.wallace@fox.com and on Twitter: @danimwallace.