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An open letter from mass shooting victims.

Mass shooting victims from across the country have signed onto an open letter in protest of the OnePULSE Foundation's private memorial-museum complex. This letter can be read below:

As people directly impacted by mass shootings from across the country, we stand together with the survivors, family members of victims, and community members who oppose the OnePulse Foundation and its efforts to build a museum and gift shop tourist attraction in Orlando, Florida in the aftermath of Orlando’s mass shooting. This would be unprecedented for a mass shooting.

The Pulse Club shooting on June 12, 2016 resulted in the death of 49 people and injured hundreds more inside the club physically and/or mentally.

We demand a tasteful and respectful public memorial to honor our loved ones where one can come to reflect, not a tourist attraction that charges admissions and sells mass shooting merchandise in a gift shop to capture “off season” dollars. The application even states that the plan is “to grow visitation through extensive marketing and advertising plans in partnership with area tourism leaders. The timing of many of these groups is in traditional off season, adding to the value of extended stays of our visitors, including the highly sought after LGBTQ community.

We believe that mass shootings should never be made into a spectacle or a source of revenue. Furthermore, family members deserve the right to choose how to memorialize the ones taken from them. The names and faces of our loved ones should never be used and exploited in this way. As shown through merchandising efforts, future museum plans that includes projected salaries rising above $2M, the OnePulse Foundation’s efforts to build a museum does just this.

 

They are expecting the cost of this to be $45M. They even earmarked $50K (or a total of $300K) to six of each finalists for the design team. Meanwhile victims’ families and survivors are still suffering and need help.

We stand in solidarity with Christine Leinonen (mother of murder victim Christopher Leinonen) and the Community Coalition Against a Pulse Museum.

 

Signed,

Christine Leinonen, only child Christopher Andrew Leinonen murdered at the Pulse Club in Orlando, FL on June 12, 2016

 

Jeff Xavier, shot multiple times but survived, six of his friends were murdered and he has undergone 12 surgeries (and needs two more) as a result of the Pulse Club shooting in Orlando, FL on June 12, 2016

 

Luis Ocasio, father of Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo, murdered at the Pulse Club in Orlando, FL on June 12, 2016

 

Marimer Capo, mother of Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo, murdered at the Pulse Club in Orlando, FL on June 12, 2016

 

Belinnette Ocasio-Capo, sister of Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo, murdered at the Pulse Club in Orlando, FL on June 12, 2016
 

Wendy Berly, stepmom of Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo, murdered at the Pulse Club in Orlando, FL on June 12, 2016

 

Karimer Capo, cousin of Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo, murdered at the Pulse Club in Orlando, FL on June 12, 2016

 

Mark Gorbea, brother-in-law of Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo, murdered at the Pulse Club in Orlando, FL on June 12, 2016

 

Juan Guerrero, father of Juan Guerrero, murdered at the Pulse Club in Orlando, FL on June 12, 2016

 

Aryam Guerrero, sister of Juan R. Guerrero, murdered at the Pulse Club in Orlando, FL on June 12, 2016

 

Olga Disla, mother of Anthony L. Laureano Disla, murdered at the Pulse Club in Orlando, FL on June 12, 2016

 

Jessica Velazquez, sister of Juan Pablo Rivera Velazquez, murdered at the Pulse Club in Orlando, FL on June 12, 2016

 

Chris Littlestar, wounded survivor (shot five times) at the Pulse Club in Orlando, FL on June 12, 2016

 

Javier Nava, wounded survivor (shot in abdomen) and 6 of his friends were murdered at the Pulse Club in Orlando, FL on June 12, 2016

Michael Santos, Brother of Brenda L. Marquez McCool, murdered saving the life of her son, Isaiah Henderson, at the Pulse Club in Orlando, FL on June 12, 2016 (she left behind 11 children and was considered the Mom of the Pulse Club)

 

Juliette Marshall, daughter of Brenda L. Marquez McCool, murdered at the Pulse Club in Orlando, FL on June 12, 2016

 

Michael Marquez, son of Brenda L. Marquez McCool, murdered at the Pulse Club in Orlando, FL on June 12, 2016

 

Irma Marquez, daughter-in-law of Brenda L. Marquez McCool, murdered at the Pulse Club in Orlando, FL on June 12, 2016

 

Kassandra Marquez, survivor and cousin to Brenda L. Marquez McCool, murdered at the Pulse Club in Orlando, FL on June 12, 2016
 
Jessenia Mimi Marquez, cousin of murder victim Brenda L. Marquez McCool and mother of survivor Kassandra Marie Marquez from the shooting at the Pulse Club in Orlando, FL on June 12, 2016

 

Aracelis Maria Jimenez, mother of Geraldo A. Ortiz-Jimenez, murdered at the Pulse Club in Orlando, FL on June 12, 2016

 

Norman Casiano-Mojica, shot multiple times from Pulse Club shooting in Orlando, FL on June 12, 2016

 

Norman, Casiano-Mojica, father of wounded survivor Norman Casiano-Moiica who was shot multiple times in the Pulse Club shooting in Orlando, FL on June 12, 2016

 

Griselle Vanessa Casiano, mother of wounded survivor Norman Casiano-Moiica who was shot multiple times at the Pulse Club in Orlando, FL on June 12, 2016

 

Tony Marrero, wounded survivor shot in the Pulse Club in Orlando, FL on June 12, 2016 (his co-worker and friend Luis Vielma was murdered)

 

Michael Morales, wounded survivor shot multiple times and boyfriend to Martin Benitez who was murdered at the Pulse Club in Orlando, FL on June 12, 2016

 

Jillian Amador, survivor from Pulse Club shooting in Orlando, FL on June 12, 2016

 

Christopher Hansen, survivor of the Pulse Club shooting in Orlando, FL on June 12, 2016

 

Julie Fritz, aunt of Christopher Hansen, survivor of the Pulse Club shooting in Orlando, FL on June 12, 2016

 

Keinon Carter, shot in leg and abdomen (tore through abdomen, small intestine and kidney to break his pelvis) and survived the Pulse Club shooting in Orlando, FL on June 12, 2016

 

Liz Finol, survivor from Pulse Club shooting in Orlando, FL on June 12, 2016
 
Steve Altinawi, survivor of the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting in Las Vegas, NV on Oct. 1, 2017

 

David Armentrout, survivor (with his two children) of the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting in Las Vegas, NV on Oct. 1, 2017

 

Stacie Armentrout, survivor (with her two children) of the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting in Las Vegas, NV on Oct. 1, 2017

 

Paola Bautista, wounded survivor (shot) at the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting in Las Vegas, NV on Oct. 1, 2017

 

Mary Bean, survivor of the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting in Las Vegas, NV on Oct. 1, 2017

 

Jax Beran, survivor of the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting in Las Vegas, NV on Oct.1, 2017

 

Jackie Beran, survivor of the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting in Las Vegas, NV on Oct. 1, 2107

 

Anita Busch, cousin of Micayla Medek murdered in the theater shooting in Aurora, CO on July 20, 2012

 

Jodi Cannon-Lass, shot at the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting in Las Vegas, NV on Oct. 1, 2017

 

Maria Carbonell, wounded survivor of the theater shooting in Aurora, CO on July 20, 2012

 

Jamal Carver, wounded survivor of the VA Tech mass shooting in Blacksburg, VA on April 16, 2007

 

Rosalinda Chernot, survivor of the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting in Las Vegas, NV on Oct. 1, 2107

 

Melissa Cowden, mother of Gordon Cowden’s four children; Gordon was murdered in front of his two children in the theater shooting in Aurora, CO on July 20, 2012

 

Mary D’Avino, mother of Rachel D’Avino, murdered in murdered at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, CT Dec. 14, 2012

 

Hannah D’Avino Miranda, sister of Rachel D’Avino, murdered at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, CT on Dec. 14, 2012

 

Veronique De La Rosa, mother of Noah Pozner, murdered at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, CT on Dec. 14, 2012
 
Heather Dearman, cousin of Ashley Moser, catastrophically injured survivor (Ashley’s 6 year-old daughter Veronica was murdered) in the theater shooting in Aurora, CO on July 20, 2012

 

Carla Forsyth, survivor, wife of Steve Forsyth, murdered in the Clackamas Town Center Mall shooting in Clackamas, OR, Dec 11th, 2012

 

Alex Forsyth, son of Steve Forsyth, murdered in the Clackamas Town Center Mall shooting in Clackamas, OR, Dec 11th, 2012

 

Stephanie Gallegos, survivor of the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting in Las Vegas, NV on Oct. 1, 2017

 

Roxanna Green, mother of 9 year-old Christina-Taylor Green, murdered in the Gabrielle Giffords/Safeway shooting in Tucson, AZ on Jan. 8, 2011

 

Pearl Grumet, mother-in-law of Natalie Grumet, survivor shot in the jaw during the of the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting in Las Vegas, NV on Oct. 1, 2017

 

Ann Haerr, survivor of the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting in Las Vegas, NV on Oct. 1, 2017

 

Cathy Hanzelik, survivor of the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting in Las Vegas, NV on Oct. 1, 2017

 

Stephanie Herbstritt, sister of Jeremy Herbstritt, murdered in the Va Tech mass shooting in Blacksburg, VA on April 16, 2007

 

Jennifer Herbstritt, sister of Jeremy Herbstritt, murdered in the Va Tech mass shooting in Blacksburg, VA on April 16, 2007

 

Neil Heslin, father of Jesse Lewis, murdered in Newtown, CT at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT on Dec. 14, 2012

 

Melissa Holmes, injured survivor of the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting in Las Vegas, NV on Oct. 1, 2017

 

Diane Howard, survivor of the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting in Las Vegas, NV on Oct. 1, 2017

 

Katie Hughes, survivor, daughter of Steve Forsyth, murdered in the Clackamas Town Center Mall shooting in Clackamas, OR, Dec 11th, 2012

 

Aaron Jackson, survivor who was shot protecting his girlfriend at the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas, NV on Oct. 1, 2017
 
Jerri Jackson, mother of Matt McQuinn, murdered in the theater shooting in Aurora, CO on July 20, 2012

 

Steven Jackson, son of Dana Stout Wilson, shot in the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas, NV on Oct. 1, 2017

 

Pardeep Singh Kaleka, son of Satwant Singh Kaleka, murdered in the Oak Creek Sikh Temple shooting on August 5, 2012

 

Amardeep Kaleka, son of Satwant Singh Kaleka, murdered in the Oak Creek Sikh Temple shooting on August 5, 2012

Nathan Kemp, nephew of Steve Forsyth, murdered in the Clackamas Town Center Mall shooting in Clackamas, OR, Dec 11th, 2012

 

Paul Kemp, brother-in-law of Steve Forsyth, murdered in the Clackamas Town Center Mall shooting in Clackamas, OR, Dec 11th, 2012

 

Sara Kemp, niece of Steve Forsyth, murdered in the Clackamas Town Center Mall shooting in Clackamas, OR, Dec 11th, 2012

 

Beverly King, survivor of the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting in Las Vegas, NV on Oct. 1, 2017

 

Erica Lafferty-Garbini, daughter of Sandy Hook principal Dawn Hochsprung, murdered at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown on Dec. 14, 2012

Cristina Lafferty, daughter of Sandy Hook principal Dawn Hochsprung, murdered at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, CT on Dec. 14, 2012

 

Barbara La Porte, mother of Matthew La Porte, murdered in the Va Tech mass shooting in Blacksburg, VA on April 16, 2007

 

Scott Larimer, father of John Larimer, murdered in the theater shooting in Aurora, CO on July 20, 2012

 

Kathleen Larimer, mother of John Larimer, murdered in the theater shooting in Aurora, CO on July 20, 2012

 

Mercer Lawing, brother Dana Stout Wilson, shot in the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting in Las Vegas, NV on Oct. 1, 2017

 

Michelle Lawing family member Dana Stout Wilson, shot in the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting in Las Vegas, NV on Oct. 1, 2017

 

Scarlett Lewis, mother of Jesse Lewis, murdered at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, CT on Dec. 14, 2012
 
Eric Mace, father of Ryanne Mace, murdered in the Northern Illinois University shooting in DeKalb, IL, Feb. 14, 2008

 

Mary Kay Mace, mother of Ryanne Mace, murdered in the Northern Illinois University shooting in DeKalb, IL, Feb. 14, 2008

Patricia Maisch, survivor, January 8, 2011 Gabreille Giffords/Safeway shooting in Tucson, AZ on Jan. 8, 2011

Kimberly Matthews-Slingerlander, survivor of the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting in Las Vegas, NV on Oct. 1, 2017

Michelle McGuire, survivor of the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting in Las Vegas, NV on Oct. 1, 2017

Jody McQuade, mother of Sean McQuade, wounded in the Va Tech mass shooting in Blacksburg, VA on April 16, 2007

Tom Mauser, father of Daniel Mauser, murdered in Columbine (CO) high school on April 20, 1999

Sumer Maxwell, survivor (along with her two children) of the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting in Las Vegas, NV on Oct. 1, 2017

Jamie Maxwell, survivor (along with his two children) of the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting in Las Vegas, NV on Oct. 1, 2017

Caleb Medley, catastrophically injured survivor from the theater shooting in Aurora, CO on July 20, 2012

Katie Medley, survivor of the theater shooting in Aurora, CO on July 20, 2012

Sue Nelson, survivor of the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting in Las Vegas, NV on Oct. 1, 2017

Anna Leece Padilla, survivor of the theater shooting in Aurora, CO on July 20, 2012 Armondo Padilla, survivor of the theater shooting in Aurora, CO on July 20, 2012

Janet Perkins, mother of Quinn Glenn Cooper, murdered in the Umpqua Community College shooting in Roseburg, OR on Oct. 1, 2015

Lenny Pozner, father of Noah Pozner, murdered at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT on Dec. 14, 2012
 
Kimbur Presmyk, survivor of the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting in Las Vegas on Oct. 1, 207

Cole Ryder, family member of gunshot victim Dana Stout Wilson from the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting in Las Vegas, NV on Oct. 1, 2017

Phil Russo, husband of Shelia Lynn Russo, murdered in the Cedarville Rancheria Indian Reservation shooting in Alturas, CA on Feb. 20, 2014

Joe Samaha, father of Reema Samaha, murdered in the Va Tech mass shooting in Blacksburg, VA on April 16, 2007

Mona Samaha, mother of Reema Samaha, murdered in the Va Tech mass shooting in Blacksburg, VA on April 16, 2007

Coni Sanders, daughter of coach William “Dave” Sanders, murdered in Columbine (CO) high school on April 20, 1999

Dana Stout-Wilson, shot and survived the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting in Las Vegas, NV on Oct. 1, 2017

Jessica Stout, sister of Dana Stout Wilson, shot in the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas, NV on Oct. 1, 2017

Robert Sullivan, grandfather of Veronica Moser-Sullivan, murdered in the theater shooting in Aurora, CO on July 20, 2012

Sue Sullivan, grandmother of Veronica Moser-Sullivan, murdered in the theater shooting in Aurora, CO on July 20, 2012

Katie Suzuki, cousin of Micayla Medek, murdered in the theater shooting in Aurora, CO on July, 20, 2012 and cousin of Stacy Suzuki.

Nicole Suzuki, cousin of Micayla Medek, murdered in the theater shooting in Aurora, CO on July, 20, 2012 and cousin of Stacy Suzuki.

Stacy Suzuki, survived the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting in Las Vegas, NV on Oct. 1, 2017

Caren Teves, mother of Alex Teves, murdered in the theater shooting in Aurora, CO on July 20, 2012

Tom Teves, father of Alex Teves, murdered in the theater shooting in Aurora, CO on July 20, 2012

Jacquelyn Trujillo, survivor (at the age of 17) of the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting in Las Vegas, NV on Oct. 1, 2017

Jessica Watts, cousin of Jonathan Blunk, murdered in the theater shooting in Aurora, CO on July 20, 2012
 

Bob Weiss, father of Veronika Weiss, murdered in the Isla Vista, CA mass shooting on May 23, 2014

Colleen Weiss, mother of Veronika Weiss, murdered in the Isla Vista, CA mass shooting on May 23, 2014

Elizabeth West, survivor of the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting in Las Vegas, NV on Oct. 1, 2017

Edie Wood, survivor of the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting in Las Vegas, NV on Oct. 1, 2017
 

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