A different kind of event remembering the victims from the Pulse shooting hit the streets on Thursday evening: a "Latin Night" celebration.
- Washington St. between Summerlin and Hill Avenues closed for event
- Event benefited employees of Pulse, which remains closed
Washington Street between Summerlin and Hill Avenues was shut down for "Latin Night for Pulse" Thursday night, and hundreds came out to enjoy the festivities.
The street party was a fundraiser meant to benefit the employees of Pulse nightclub. The night was filled with music and dancing, what the night of June 12th was supposed to be like.
Pulse nightclub manager Brian Reagan knew many of those who were caught in the line of fire.
“I was there that evening," Reagan said. "Very, very lucky and fortunate to have made it out, had a lot of friends there that evening.”
While the crime scene has cleared and a memorial grows in front, Pulse nightclub remains closed, leaving employees without a job. Organizers said this street party was all about showing the community that there is still a Pulse in Orlando.
“We may not be in the same building or same location, but as you can see, everyone that’s come together today, this community takes care of each other," Reagan said.
With a street shut down and a strong police presence, residents came out to show their support, recreating some of the Latin festivities that were cut short less than two weeks ago.
“We chose a Latin theme because it was our Latin night and a lot of our community was Latin," said Pulse owner Barbara Poma. "It was a time they were together to have a good time.”
Though they are all are working through different experiences and emotions, Pulse's employees said they’re sticking together. Some are even sharing new matching tattoos.
“To be able to see each other, to smile, to be able to hug each other and share a few laughs, share a few cries, but to be together as a family," Reagan said.