Words to Orlando
The worst mass shooting in the US occurred in Orlando, Florida, early on Sunday morning at about 2am, leaving 49 people dead and 53 injured.
According to American news sources, this criminal act has been tied to terrorism, because the shooter reportedly called 9-1-1 before his rampage to declare his allegiance to ISIS.
The tragedy, which was described by authorities as a hate crime against the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, has renewed vigorous debate on gun control laws, as well as global terrorism.
However, for the most part, the international community has responded with messages of compassion, sympathy and support to the traumatized people of Orlando.
US President Barack Obama and the presidential candidates all weighed in with sympathetic messages and tweets.
Pope Francis reacted in “horror” to the massacre.
Queen Elizabeth of England released a statement of sympathy on Sunday afternoon, and British Prime Minister David Cameron said he was “horrified” when he heard about the tragedy.
As the shooting occurred in an LGBT night club, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed “solidarity” with the LBGT community.
Also joining the chorus of world leaders were European Council President Donald Tusk, Turkish Prime Minister Mehmet Simsek and Danish Prime Minister Lars Rasmussen.
President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) echoed the sentiments of other world leaders by expressing her sentiments in an official response from the Presidential Office.
Presidential Office spokesman Alex Huang (黃重諺) on Monday said that “President Tsai is deeply concerned over the deadly terror attack in Orlando, Florida. Tsai has directed National Security Council Secretary General Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) to express our concern to the Director of American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Mr Kin Moy.”
Huang added that “in addition to her condemnation of terrorism, Wu would also communicate Tsai’s condolences to the US government to mourn victims and their families.”
“On behalf of the 2 million citizens of Tainan, I extend our deepest condolences to the victims and their families who lost loved ones in the terrorist attack on your city,” Tainan Mayor William Lai (賴清德) said in a letter to Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer.
“We are shocked and saddened by these cruel acts of terrorism and condemn all violence. Orlando has been our sister city since 1982, and we care deeply about the safety and wellbeing of your people. I now write to assure you that Tainan will stand with Orlando through this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. We pray that the deceased rest in peace, that the bereaved be comforted, and that wisdom, courage, and strength be given to us all as we stand together, ready to protect peace and human rights,” Dyer said.
Orlando, known as the tourism capital of the US, has a special connection to Taiwan.
It became Tainan’s sister city on June 24, 1982. This longstanding relationship has been valued by mayors of both cities. A striking similarity can be seen as the Orlando leader has led his stunned community through this crisis, as did the Tainan mayor during the deadly earthquake of Feb. 5.
Tony Coolidge
Tainan
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