An estimated 300 people attended the candle light Vigil at the New Bedford City Hall on June 14th from 6-8 PM. 

WBSM 1420's Barry Richard assembled local speakers from the media and the LGBTQ community to speak out about the Orlando massacre at the Pulse Night Club. Amongst the speakers was Gazelle who represented Fun 107 and the local community. Gazelle opened up the night with a dedication speech titled "49 Lives" for the 49 victims who lost their lives to a crazed gunman early Sunday Morning. Barry's son, Steve Richards captured the speech:

"49 Lives"

"Good Evening, for those who don’t know me, my name is Gazelle from the Fun 107 Rock and Fox Morning Show.

It goes without saying, that each and every one of us here tonight has envisioned a world without hate. We have dreamed of a change that would reshape the society we are surrounded by with love and good nature. I know for a fact that in every single person’s heart, we pray that the killing of one another will stop for once and for all.  As impossible as this all may appear to some, please believe me when I say, that I AM here to tell you….. that there is a solution to this madness and it all begins with you.

 

Tonight, my heart is heavy. As is everyone else who came to show support today. My heart is heavy because this past Sunday, 49 lives were taken from us. 49 Innocent lives who never saw the gunman coming. *Pause* 49 lives who trembled in fear as bullets filled the Orlando Night Club, taking their very last breath. 49 people who should still be alive today.

 

Look around….. what do you see?

 

I see a community who has had enough of the violence, hate and discrimination that has blanketed this world like an invisible quilt of negativity. Suffocating our innocence and molding the minds of our youth. Unfortunately, this quilt is everywhere around us and it’s becoming more and more difficult to see the light.

I look out into the crowd and I see a group of men, women and children who are scared… and you have every right to be. But, is this truly how we want to live out the rest of our lives? In Fear?! I’m here to tell you that I’ve had just about enough.

 

The LGBTQ community has been rattled and it has been bruised, but believe me when I say it will only grow stronger from here. 49 lives were taken from us by 1 man, 1 murderer, 1 coward. Innocent blood was shed and yes, you should be angry…. but retaliation should never be the answer. So what is the solution? Well, it’s simple…..Just the size and strength of our community coming together as one makes more of a difference in this world than you’ll ever imagine.

 

It only takes one voice to make a difference, but imagine what a hundred, a thousand, even a million can do. I stand up here today to tell you all that despite what has happened in Orlando, we have grown stronger as one.

49 lives were taken from family members and friends. 49 families have lost a son or a daughter. 49 people were taken from us way too soon.

 

As I leave this podium today, my only hopes is that we never forget the dreadful night at Club Pulse and that we come stronger as a unity, for we are all Human and no one is better than the other. We are all meant to live together as a community on this Earth, so lets start making the difference today.

 

49 lives have perished and there are 7.1 Billion voices in the world. Let’s start with one so that the 49 people who are no longer with us can hear our message loud and clear from the heavens above.

 

We can end the violence… we can end the hate… we will diminish the discrimination once and for all. It all begins with you…. it all begins with one voice.

On behalf of Fun 107, AM 1420 WBSM and everyone who has gathered here today… I thank you for allowing me to speak, in hopes that my voice will make a difference not only today, but from here on out until we unify as one.

Thank You." -Gazelle

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