LUBBOCK, Texas -
A vigil was held Sunday night at St. John's United Methodist Church in Lubbock to memorialize those killed and injured in the Orlando massacre.
"In the face of hate and violence, we will love one another," President Obama said. "We will not give into fear or turn against each other. Instead, we will stand united as Americans to protect our people and defend our nation and to take action against those who threaten us."
Tony Thornton is president of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays in Lubbock, or PFLAG. He says the attack at the gay club in Orlando wasn't a random act of violence.
"This was intentional," Thornton said. "You know, ti wasn't like 'oh I'll go in that club, it looks busy.' He drove 125 miles to that location. So I think the community needs to, you know, watch out for each other like we always have. And watch out for everybody and our loved ones."
Florida senators Bill Nelson and Marco Rubio say we have to remember what it means to be American.
"What is happening to our country?" Nelson asked. "We are going to have to dig down deep and ask ourselves who we are as a people."
"And I hope they see today, they won't terrorize Americans, they won't terrorize Floridians," Rubio said. "We stand for and with all Americans, irrespective of their sexual orientation, irrespective of their party ideology, irrespective of where they live. We are all Americans. You're seeing this response today and I think this will continue.
Those who were at the club just want all this to be over.
"Just to think, I don't know if any of my friends are laying in the club or in the hospital, you know. And you try to be strong and hold it all together for the community and let them know that we're here and at one point it just takes over. And I just want to wake up from this dream."
Thornton say unity is a necessity in the wake of these tragedies.
"You know, I hope that people do be considerate of one another moving forward because this is going to hurt a lot of people."
