Latest news with #PulseNightclub
Daily Mail
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Heartbroken families of the 62 victims burnt to death in horror inferno at North Macedonia nightclub demand justice - as 5,000 take to the streets with photos of loved ones lost in blaze
The heartbroken families of the 62 victims burnt to death in a horror inferno at a North Macedonia nightclub took to the streets on Saturday evening to demand justice. They were part of an estimated 5,000-strong crowd who marched through the streets of Kocani, a town 100 kilometres east of the country's capital Skopje. Relatives and parents of the Pulse nightclub fire victims held aloft photographs of their loved ones who perished in the blaze as their protested 'selective justice'. The fire broke out in the early hours of March 16 this year as hundreds of people gathered to watch a performance by popular hip-hop duo DNK. The blaze claimed the lives of 62 people and leaving over 200 injured. The concert began around midnight and the fire started at approximately 3am local time. Photographs and footage taken on the night showed huge flames engulfing the nightclub, with large plumes of smoke billowing into the air. Clips from inside the venue showed the use of two pyrotechnics during the performance, known as stage jets - a type of indoor fireworks used during concerts. Andrej Gjorgieski, the lead singer of the DNK, selflessly rushed back into open flames to save several of his young fans after his band performed at the venue just hours before. Footage shared on social media showed chaos inside the club as the roof was engulfed by flames. Speaking to The Independent, Andrej's manager Spasoski said that the singer could have escaped the fire but chose to turn around to help others. 'I have never met such a good and humble person in my life', he said. Fans have praised the singer on social media for his heroic act. One wrote: 'To run back into an inferno not once but twice to save as many as you could… Heroic isn't enough. 'Andrej your vocals and lyrics will live on forever but it is your humanitarianism and selflessness until the very end that is an example to us all. Rest in Peace'.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Orlando asks Orange County for millions to fund Pulse memorial
After assuming leadership over creating the Pulse Nightclub shooting memorial and a months-long process to come up with a realistic concept for it, Orlando leaders are turning to Orange County to get the memorial over the finish line. Orlando has committed $7.5 million to the memorial's design and construction costs, in addition to funds used to purchase land adjacent to the nightclub's site. However, city leaders estimate the actual cost to be approximately $12 million. In a memo dated March 10, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer formally asked Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings for $5 million to cover the gap. 'Since the tragedy, the city and county have continuously partnered to support the victims' families and survivors and helped build community resilience,' Dyer wrote. 'We hope that the County will continue that spirit of partnership.' Last month, an Orlando-appointed committee approved the conceptual design for the memorial, which includes a visitor's center, water wall, reflecting pool and columns representing the 49 men and women who died. The city's effort to complete the memorial began after the nonprofit set up to permanently honor the victims, the OnePulse Foundation, fell apart amid accusations of financial mismanagement. At the time of its collapse, OnePulse had also lost the support of many of the victims' families over its plans to create a large-scale museum about the shooting. Orange County leaders did not have an immediate reaction to Orlando's request. They said a statement would be sent out later Wednesday. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Orlando finalizes Pulse Memorial plans, with city council set to review recommendations
The Brief The Pulse Memorial Advisory Committee held its final meeting Tuesday, finalizing recommendations for Orlando's memorial to honor the 2016 nightclub shooting victims. The committee could not reach a consensus on whether to display the breached wall, leaving the decision to the city council. The memorial, set for completion in late summer or early fall 2027, will feature an angel ellipse, healing garden, survivor's wall, and space for individualized tributes. ORLANDO, Fla, - The final design for the Pulse Memorial was unveiled Tuesday as the Pulse Memorial Advisory Committee worked on a few unfinished details. What we know The Pulse Memorial Advisory Committee finalized its recommendations for a memorial to honor the victims of the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting. Renderings on display show the memorial will be built on the Pulse Nightclub property. The committee has proposed designs that include an "Angel Ellipse," a healing garden, a survivor's wall, and space for the names of all 49 victims, along with individual memorials. However, there are still unresolved decisions regarding the inclusion of a wall from the building where law enforcement rescued survivors. The committee also could not agree on how the victims' names should be displayed. The final recommendations will be presented to the Orlando City Council for review. Additionally, the city will begin accepting bids for the construction of the memorial in March. What we don't know The committee could not decide whether the breached wall, where law enforcement entered to save survivors, should be part of the memorial. While some committee members believe it is crucial for preserving history, others argue that keeping it could prevent emotional healing. Furthermore, the specifics of how the victims' names will be displayed—whether on a single wall or individually — remain undecided, with the City Council set to make the final determination. The backstory The Pulse nightclub shooting, which occurred in June 2016, resulted in 49 deaths and numerous injuries, making it one of the deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history. Since then, the creation of a memorial to honor the victims has been a priority. The City of Orlando took over the planning process from the OnePulse Foundation, which dissolved last year. The committee, formed in 2024, has spent months discussing and debating the memorial's design. Big picture view The Pulse Memorial represents a powerful step toward healing for Orlando and the broader LGBTQ+ community, offering a space for remembrance and reflection. The memorial's design aims to honor the victims while also serving as a symbol of resilience and community. However, the ongoing debate about the inclusion of the breached wall reflects the delicate balance between memory and healing, which is a sensitive topic for survivors and victims' families. What they're saying Nancy Rosado, a Pulse Memorial Advisory Committee member, said this has not been an easy process. "Everyone came in with certain ideas. The beauty of it was coming to that point of consensus," she added. But the breached wall is receiving push back. "Including something like that does not allow for healing," said Rev. Marcelino Rivera, another member of the committee. However, for Brett Rigas, committee member and Pulse survivor, the breached wall is personal. "Being a survivor and being able to make it out of the building, it's important to me that part of that building stays there," he said. "It has been a lot of emotions, and we've gone through a lot," added committee member Perry T. Snider Jr. "There's been traumas and things that we've pulled up that I haven't experienced in years. It's been great that we've been able to come together to bring this back to everyone in Orlando." Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer opened Tuesday's meeting, marking the culmination of months of planning since the committee began work last summer. "I have three more years as the mayor of the great City of Orlando. One of my goals is that we complete this process to finality before I turn over the reins to whoever is going to be the next mayor." What's next On Feb. 24, the Orlando City Council will hold a workshop to discuss the committee's recommendations. In March, the city will begin requesting bids for the construction of the memorial. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer hopes the memorial will be completed near the end of his mayoral term, around late summer or early fall 2027. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information shared by …
Yahoo
04-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pulse Memorial Advisory Committee unveils new renderings for nightclub memorial
The Pulse Memorial Advisory Committee has released renderings of the Pulse Nightclub memorial. The committee released seven new draft renderings for the Pulse Nightclub memorial on Tuesday. The committee has incorporated several pieces of feedback based on the draft renderings revealed at the last meeting, including: More color, including in reflecting pool. Spanish language in addition to English. Option of having country flags representing the heritage of the victims. Re-worked private area for reflection There still appears to be some discussion needed about whether the memorial will incorporate shoes of the victims or if a more symbolic object will be used like obelisks. See the new draft renderings below. The Pulse Memorial Advisory Committee is tasked with designing the memorial and will meet for the final time. This June will mark nine years since a gunman killed 49 people at that club near downtown Orlando. Read: Pulse nightclub will be torn down, dance floor to be included in future designs The committee has been meeting for months to decide what will happen with the location. The discussion involves everyone from survivors to those who live nearby. Read: Final IRS documents show how onePULSE Foundation fell into deficits For those who live and work in the area, the change is an opportunity to make the space a reminder of hope and resilience, especially for the LGBTQ+ community. See the full report in the video above. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
