ORLANDO, Fla.
(AP) — The owner of the Florida nightclub
where the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history took place said Monday
that she is no longer interested in selling the property to the city of
Orlando.
Pulse nightclub
owner Barbara Poma said in a statement that she can’t walk away from the
property, where 49 people were killed and dozens more injured during a massacre
last June. Gunman Omar Mateen, who was killed in a shootout with SWAT team
members after a three-hour standoff, pledged allegiance to the Islamic State
group.
Poma said she
plans to use the space to create a “sanctuary of hope” and a welcoming area
where people can reflect on those affected by the tragedy.
“I feel a
personal obligation to ensure that a permanent space at Pulse be created so
that all generations to come will remember those affected by, and taken on,
June 12,” she said.
Last month, the
city of Orlando announced plans to purchase Pulse and eventually convert it
into a memorial. The city had planned to pay $2.25 million for the gay
nightclub property.
City
spokeswoman Cassandra Lafser said in a statement that city officials respect
Poma’s decision “and are hopeful the Pulse site continues to be a place of hope
and healing that honors the victims.”
Since the June
massacre, dozens of people stop by each day to lay flowers, stuffed animals or
candles outside the nightclub located south of downtown.
City staffers
will continue to research how other communities have built memorials to
tragedies, Lafser said.
“We believe it
is important for the community to have input into a memorial that honors the
victims and pays tribute to the resiliency of Orlando,” she said.
SOURCE: LGBTQ NATION
No comments:
Post a Comment