Motorcyclists honor Pulse club victims through downtown fundraising ride
Hundreds of bikers honked, revved their engines, waved and flashed peace signs as they passed by the memorial at Pulse nightclub in Orlando Sunday on a ride to raise money for the victims of the country’s deadliest mass shooting.
Orlando police officers on motorcycles accompanied “Hogs for Hope,” including 49 motorcycles that bore American flags representing each of the 49 victims who died June 12 when a gunman opened fire in the club on Orange Avenue south of downtown. The flags symbolize freedom, courage and human rights for all, Orlando Harley-Davidson owner Anne Deli said.
An American Legion honor guard stood at attention, and people standing at the memorial waved back to the riders and held up peace signs of their own.
Alex Brendell, 55, of Kissimmee, said she was moved by the demonstration of love and support.
“That’s what makes you feel really good about Orlando and people coming together,” said Brendell, who has patronized the club but was not there the night of the shooting. “It’s not a gay thing or a straight thing — it’s everybody coming together.”
Streets were briefly closed as the procession made its way from Camping World Stadium past Pulse and to Orlando Harley-Davidson. Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan, whose biography describes her as the first openly gay elected official in Central Florida, and City Commissioner Regina Hill
were among those who participated.
Sheehan, a gun owner, praised the police and advocated common sense when it comes to guns.
“People should not be able to mow down 100 people at a time,” she said. “It’s wrong and it’s got to stop.”
More than 50 people were injured at Pulse but survived. Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton visited the site Friday and met with survivors and relatives of the victims. The club has been closed since the shooting.
Robin Brown, 47, rode with her two Chihuahuas, Phoebe and Chandler, in a carrier on the back of her Can-Am Spyder. She said several friends of her friends died at Pulse, and she wanted to show her support for their families.
The $25 ride entry fee will go to the One-Orlando fund to benefit victims of the shooting, as will a portion of the proceeds from Harley-Davidson Alex Brendell, left, holds up peace signs as the motorcyclists drive by Pulse Sunday.
touring motorcycles sold by Orlando Harley-Davidson until Sunday and from food sales by local vendors, the dealership promised.
The fund, in partnership with several other charities, has raised more than $17 million, according to its website. Equality Florida alone had raised more than $7.4 million as of Sunday.
“Bikers are just kind, caring, compassionate and charitable, and I‘m proud to be a part of this community,” said Brown of Orlando, whose dogs wore puppy-sized helmets and glasses.
After the speeches, the bikers — some wearing #BikersUnited T-shirts printed with “One Orlando,” a red heart and a pulse graphic — were entertained by a blues band and a burlesque show.
Parked at the event was a new Orlando police sport utility vehicle to memorialize the victims. It’s painted with the names of the 49 who died on the hood and rear window, a rainbow-colored heart with the words “#Orlando United” on each side and scenes from a candlelight vigil. It was driven by Lt. Jim Young, lead police liaison with the LGBT community.
“We all feel that this is our community,” said Calvin Thomas, 54, a retired Orlando police officer who now does investigations for the state. “It’s sad that it took something like this. We should support everyone [regardless of ] color or sexual orientation.”