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Vigil Held In Lexington, Gay Pride Festival Will Go On As Planned

Hundreds of single flames illuminated the sky Sunday night at Triangle Park and prayer and hymns were led from a temporary podium as children played in the nearby fountain, still innocent to the events that had taken place the night before in Orlando.Candlelight vigil held in downtown Lexington.

Lexington officials tell crowd at Sunday night's candlelight vigil, the city's Gay Pride Festival will go on as planned.

At a city held candlelight vigil, Lexington Mayor Jim Gray said “These events, these shootings, these mass shootings stun us to our very core. We can’t be human and suggest anything other than that.” Gray said the city’s Gay Pride Festival would go on as planned on June 25th and assured the community that security would be a top priority. “Our police chief is in constant communication with the FBI terrorism unit which is routine.”

Lexington Police Chief Mark Barnard said officers will be out in full force and asks everyone to report any suspicious behavior.  Chief Barnard has talked with religious leaders to ensure the entire community remains safe. “I’ve reached out to our Islamic community to let them know we are there for them.  I’ve reached out to other members of our community to let them know we are there for them as well.  We keep researching and looking into and following social media and talking to experts.  While I can’t go into specifics, security plans are in place.”

Areas of the city will be lit with rainbow lights in the evenings to remember the victims in Orlando.

Vigil Held In Lexington, Gay Pride Festival Will Go On As Planned

Copyright 2016 WUKY

Karyn Czar