Hawaii Governor David Ige on Sunday ordered that the Hawaii state flag be flown at half-staff at the state Capitol and at other state agencies and locations until sunset on June 16.
The action honors the victims of “the terrible attack” that occurred last night in Orlando, Florida,” the governor’s office said in a statement.
“We see on the news today yet another horrific instance of man’s inhumanity to man, triggered by the fear of differences,” Ige said. “Let us reject fear and hostility. Let us embrace diversity. Let us affirm life.”
He added, “Hawaii has some of the toughest laws regulating gun ownership in the nation. This presumed act of terror is a reminder that we cannot become complacent. We must do all that we can to ensure the public’s safety.”
Ige’s order comes in the wake of a presidential proclamation regarding what is described as the worst mass shooting in U.S. history.
Locally,the LGBT Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii was to hold a rally at Honolulu Hale at 5 p.m. Sunday.
Meantime, LGBT Hawaii planned a candlelight vigil for 6:30 p.m. Sunday at the Gandhi Statue in Kapiolani Park.
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Chad Blair is the Politics and Opinion Editor for Civil Beat. You can reach him by email at cblair@civilbeat.org or follow him on Twitter at @chadblairCB.