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World reacts to Orlando shooting

AS THE world reacted to America’s worst mass shooting, Donald Trump managed to make it about him.

AP and staff writers
5 min read
June 13, 2016 - 2:55PM
News Corp Australia Network
Christine Leinonen, 58, waits for information outside of the Orlando Regional Medical Center about her son Chris who is missing after a fatal shooting and hostage situation at Pulse nightclub. Picture: Gerardo Mora/Getty Images/AFP
Christine Leinonen, 58, waits for information outside of the Orlando Regional Medical Center about her son Chris who is missing after a fatal shooting and hostage situation at Pulse nightclub. Picture: Gerardo Mora/Getty Images/AFP

WORLD leaders, authorities and the public have expressed their shock and devastation at the mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida. Most used their platform to call out hate and to pray for the victims and their families. White House hopeful Donald Trump did that, but he also made the incident about him.

“Appreciate the congrats for being right on radical Islamic terrorism,” Trump tweeted, before clarifying that “I don’t want congrats, I want toughness and vigilance”.

“We must be smart!” he wrote.

Trump also tweeted that he was “Praying for all the victims and their families” and that “What happened in Orlando is just the beginning”.

The internet responded with a mix of criticism and praise.

“FYI: turning the worst mass shooting in US history into a Trump humble brag isn’t smart. It’s childish, arrogant, thoughtless,” one user wrote on Twitter.

“So, you managed to use this event to brag and feign humility at the same time,” another wrote.

There was some support for Trump’s comments.

“How is what he said offensive when it’s the truth?” one user tweeted.

Trump followed the tweets with an official statement demanding President Barack Obama “step down” for not linking the attack with radical Islam.

“Last night, our nation was attacked by a radical Islamic terrorists,” Trump wrote.

“It was the worst terrorist attack on our soil since 9/11, and the second of its kind in six months. My deepest sympathy and support goes out to the victims, the wounded, and their families.

“In his remarks today, President Obama disgracefully refused to even say the words ‘Radical Islam’. For that reason alone, he should step down.”

At least 50 people were killed and dozens of others wounded, when a gunman wielding an assault rifle opened fire in the club before dying in a gunfight with SWAT officers.

President Obama made a statement condemning the attack.

The president called the shooting a “horrific massacre” and an act of terrorism and hate. “Although it’s still early in the investigation, we know enough to say that this was an act of terror and an act of hate,” Obama said in a public address.

“The FBI is appropriately investigating this as an act of terrorism,” he said. “And I’ve directed that we must spare no effort to determine what — if any — inspiration or association this killer may have had with terrorist groups. What is clear is that he was a person filled with hatred. Over the coming days, we’ll uncover why and how this happened.”

President Barack Obama speaks about the massacre at a Orlando nightclub during a news conference at the White House in Washington.
President Barack Obama speaks about the massacre at a Orlando nightclub during a news conference at the White House in Washington.

The president said the attack was “especially heartbreaking” for those who were lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. “The place where they were attacked is more than a nightclub — it is a place of solidarity and empowerment where people have come together to raise awareness, to speak their minds, and to advocate for their civil rights,” he said.

He also made a point about the ease with which people could get their hands on deadly weapons. “This massacre is therefore a further reminder of how easy it is for someone to get their hands on a weapon that lets them shoot people in a school, or in a house of worship, or a movie theatre, or in a nightclub,” President Obama said. “And we have to decide if that’s the kind of country we want to be. And to actively do nothing is a decision as well.”

Obama has ordered that all flags at the White House and other government buildings be lowered to half-mast in respect to the victims.

The club where the shooting occurred took to Facebook and Twitter to thank the public for their support: “Please keep everyone in your prayers as we work through this tragic event. Thank you for your thoughts and love.”

Local authorities have also made statements about the shooting. “This is an incident, as I see it, that we certainly classify as domestic terror incident”, Orange County sheriff Jerry Demings said.

Florida Governer Rick Scott said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, families and all those affected by this horrific tragedy. We are a strong and resilient state and we will devote every resource available to assist with the shooting in Orlando.”

Equality Florida spoke out about the anti-gay sentiment behind the attack. “We are heartbroken and angry that senseless violence has once again destroyed lives in our state and in our country,” the organisation said. “Gay clubs hold a significant place in LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer) history. They were often the only safe gathering place and this horrific act strikes directly at our sense of safety.”

Meanwhile, people worldwide have responded to the event on social media platforms, with hashtags such as #Orlando, #PulseNightclub, #gunsense, #ThoughtsAndPrayers, #PulseShooting, #LoveConquersHate, #GunReformNOW, #Islamophobia and #TheNRA all trending on Twitter. World leaders have also sent their condolences to those affected by the tragedy and condemned the attack.

Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton tweeted: “Woke up to hear the devastating news from FL. As we wait for more information, my thoughts are with those affected by this horrific act.”

Clinton later posted the following statement on Facebook, vowing to fight terrorism and crimes of hate. She also stated that something needed to be done to keep guns out of the hands of criminals.

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull addressed the mass shooting on Monday morning. Speaking to reporters in Townsville, he said Australia is “united in our detemination to maintain our freedom”.

“We have strong gun laws in our country, thanks to John Howard all those years ago,” Mr Turnbull said.

Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore announced in Twitter that the rainbow flag will fly above Sydeny Town Hall and that on Monday night the building will light up pink.

In a statement, French President Francois Hollande said he “condemns with horror” the mass killing in Florida and “expresses the full support of France and the French with America’s authorities and its people in this difficult time”.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said: “My thoughts go out to the victims, to which I offer my condolences, as well as the many wounded, to whom I wish a speedy recovery. I express my solidarity to the American people and its authorities in this terrible ordeal.”

Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted that he was “horrified” by the attack.

Italian Premier Matteo Renzi posted, “Our heart is with our American brothers.”

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Simsek tweeted: “I condemn, unequivocally, the horrific terrorist attack in #Orlando — as we’ve seen time & again, terrorism knows no religion, creed or race.”

Rasha Mubarak, Orlando regional co-ordinator for Florida’s chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, expressed similar sentiments. “We condemn this monstrous attack and offer our heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of all those killed or injured,” he said. “The Muslim community joins our fellow Americans in repudiating anyone or any group that would claim to justify or excuse such an appalling act of violence.”

Democratic US Representative Adam Schiff of California said he would march in a gay pride parade in solidarity with the victims. “This morning, I will be marching in the West Hollywood Pride Parade with a heavy heart, but we will march in solidarity with all those who are the victims of terrorism and hatred,” he said.

And the outpouring from the general public has been filled with messages of frustration and anger over gun violence and lax guns laws.

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Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/world/north-america/world-reacts-to-orlando-shooting/news-story/bece3c030c98f7b479871a41ee33837c