Tag Archives: Orlando

Pulse Massacre Gunman’s Wife: I Knew In Advance

USA Today reports: A handwritten statement given to the FBI by the wife of Pulse nightclub gunman Omar Mateen says she saw him prepare for the deadly attack for months and knew that the LGBT nightclub was his target. The 12-page statement, quietly released by federal authorities at the end of December in a batch of records in the case, …

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Robot Trump Debuts At Disney World [VIDEO]

The New York Times reports: President Trump has finally arrived at Walt Disney World. And, yes, he speaks. After a delay that prompted online conspiracy theories, the most common one being that Disney was trying to silence Mr. Trump, Disney World unveiled an audio-animatronic robot in his life-size likeness on Monday as part of its famed Hall of Presidents exhibit. …

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ORLANDO: Wife Of Pulse Shooter Loses Battle To Move Trial, Claimed No Local Jurors Could Be Impartial

USA Today reports: The widow of Pulse nightclub gunman Omar Mateen will stand trial in Orlando, home to the nation’s second deadliest mass shooting in modern history, after a federal judge ruled staying in the city wouldn’t prevent a fair trial. Lawyers for Noor Salman had fought to move the case outside the city, arguing intense media coverage of the …

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Wife Of Pulse Shooter Claims No Knowledge Of Plot, Says Husband Was Cheating Via Dating Sites [VIDEO]

The Orlando Sentinel reports: Attorneys for the wife of Pulse nightclub shooter Omar Mateen wrote in a motion filed on Monday that he was using online dating websites such as Plenty of Fish to cheat on her. Noor Salman’s attorneys said in the motion that Mateen used a mutual friend as a cover story so he could go out with …

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Orlando Honors Pulse Victims With Rainbow Crosswalk

The work finished on National Coming Out Day. CBS News reports: A crosswalk to honor the Pulse nightclub victims was completed early Wednesday by the city of Orlando. A petition on change.org for the installation of the sidewalk was signed by more than 2,000 people to pledge their support to honor the men and women who lost their lives at …

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Christian Activist Arrested At Pulse Memorial [VIDEO]

Orlando’s ABC affiliate reports: A man who protested outside Pulse nightclub Monday following a ceremony marking the anniversary of the attack was handcuffed by Orlando police. Local officials and the community had just finished a remembrance ceremony at the venue, which honored the victims and first responders. The man, who has not been identified, was part of a group of …

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Trump Pays Tribute To Pulse Massacre Victims

This afternoon on the one year anniversary of the Pulse massacre, Trump issued the above tweet memorializing the victims. One year ago today, however, after first tweeting that he was “praying” for the victims, Trump was full of self-praise an hour later, tweeting, “Appreciate the congrats for being right on radical Islamic terrorism, I don’t want congrats, I want toughness …

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ORLANDO: “Angels” Mark Pulse Anniversary [VIDEO]

The Orlando Sentinel reports: As he walked up to the Pulse nightclub, memories of last June clouded Ramses Tinoco’s head. He still remembered hearing the gunshots. He remembered running for his life. But the place that has haunted him for a year was different early Monday. Dozens of angels stood guard outside, their wings made of PVC pipes and flowing …

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ORLANDO: Pulse Nightclub Owner Unveils Plan To Create “Iconic” National Memorial And Museum [VIDEO]

The Orlando Sentinel reports: The Orlando shooting at Pulse Nightclub on June 12 will be memorialized with an “iconic, meaningful, national” memorial and eventually a museum, where Orlando’s millions of visitors will learn about the club, the tragedy and the victims. Leaders of the not-for-profit onePULSE Foundation officially launched the effort to building the memorial Thursday morning. “Today, I’m able …

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ORLANDO: Pulse Owner To Unveil Memorial Plans

The Orlando Sentinel reports: As the one-year anniversary of the Pulse terror attack nears, the nightclub’s owner, Barbara Poma, next week will announce details about plans for a permanent memorial at the scene of the nation’s largest mass shooting. “Pulse has always been a part of me, but after this tragedy which took 49 lives, it became a part of …

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ORLANDO: Wife Of Pulse Terrorist Pleads Not Guilty, Trial Date Set For One Week Before Attack Anniversary

Orlando’s NBC affiliate reports: The wife of the gunman in the Pulse nightclub massacre has pleaded not guilty to charges of aiding and abetting her husband and obstruction of justice. Noor Salman, wife of Pulse nightclub shooter Omar Mateen, made a brief appearance before a judge in the Orlando federal courthouse Wednesday. Salman’s attorney waived the reading of an indictment …

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ORLANDO: City And County Officials Unveil Pulse Anniversary Plan For “A Day Of Love & Kindness”

The Associated Press reports: Orlando and Orange County officials want the first anniversary next June of the Pulse nightclub massacre to be marked with acts of love and kindness. Elected officials on Monday said that June 12 officially would be dedicated as “Orlando United Day – A Day of Love and Kindness.” Officials also announced a series of events planned …

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Disney Closes Hall Of Presidents To Add Robot Trump

Via Mediaite: On Monday morning, CNN’s Jake Tapper tweeted a photo from Walt Disney World in Orlando. The Hall of Presidents show starts with a film presentation before revealing animatronic versions of every president. Speeches are delivered by the representations of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and the then-current President of the United States, Barack Obama. The Obama robot was added …

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FLORIDA: Federal Courts May Not Have Jurisdiction In Pulse Victims’ Lawsuit Against Killer’s Employer

Orlando’s ABC affiliate reports: A lawsuit filed by the victims of the Pulse nightclub massacre and their families against the gunman’s wife and employer is in jeopardy of being dismissed in federal court. Federal Judge Kenneth A. Marra filed the order questioning if the federal court system had jurisdiction in the case, determining that as presented it did not. The …

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ORLANDO: JMG Essay To Feature In New Play On Pulse Massacre, Show To Run At Orlando Fringe Festival

Playwright David Lee has incorporated my Pulse essay, Their Phones Kept Ringing, into a play selected to run at the Orlando Fringe Festival. Such an honor! Via press release: David Lee, recipient of the 2016 Orlando International Fringe Festival’s Lifetime Achievement Award has created an original theatrical event that shares stories and experiences from the days, weeks and months following …

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Feds Grant $8.5M To Pulse Massacre Victims

Reuters reports: The victims of a mass shooting at a Florida nightclub in June 2016 will receive nearly $8.5 million for emotional and financial support for victims’ families, those wounded in the attack and responders, the U.S. Department of Justice said on Tuesday. In a statement, the department’s Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) said the funds would be granted …

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FLORIDA: Federal Court Revokes Bond For Wife Of Pulse Massacre Killer, She’s Now Remanded Until Trial

Courthouse News Service reports: The widow of the gunman who killed 49 people in an Orlando nightclub last June will remain behind bars while she awaits trial in Florida, according to a court order. Although a California magistrate judge earlier this month authorized Noor Salman’s release from an Alameda County jail on a $500,000 bond, a federal judge in Florida …

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Orlando Launches New City Flag Contest [VIDEO]

Calling all gay graphics designers. Via press release: Why a new flag? A flag is more than just a symbol, it is a source of civic pride that makes people feel more connected to their city. As the City of Orlando’s story continues to evolve, so does the need for a visual identity that is unique to Orlando. The contest …

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FBI Arrests Wife Of Pulse Nightclub Shooter

USA Today reports: The wife of Omar Mateen, the man who killed 49 people in a shooting rampage at an Orlando nightclub last June, was arrested Monday on a charge of obstructing justice, a federal law enforcement official told USA TODAY. Noor Salman was taken into custody by the FBI at her Northern California home. The law enforcement official, who …

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Pulse Victims Honored With Rose Parade Float [VIDEO]

The Advocate reports: Survivors of the Pulse massacre took center stage at the 128th Rose Parade. Victor Baez Febo and Isaiah Henderson waved to the cheering crowd Monday at the annual New Years Day celebration in Pasadena, Calif. They rode on a float commissioned by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation and Impulse Group United, which honored the 49 victims and dozens …

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