In Honor of Orlando Victims, Brooklyn Borough Hall Will Be Wrapped in Pride

Pictured: Destiny George adds a message to the tribute on Friday. Photos by John V. Santore

DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN — "I was so sad," Park Slope resident Destiny George said, thinking back to when she heard of the mass shooting at an Orlando gay club last weekend that left 50 people dead and 53 injured.

The dead included Brooklyn natives Enrique Rios and Brenda McCool.

"The world is so cruel," George said. "How could people do that?"

"I felt pretty disgusted," her friend, Savon Williams, also from Brooklyn, said. "I wish I could do something more for the families and for the people."

On Friday, Williams and George both wrote messages of support for the victims on a massive length of colorful yellow cloth outside Brooklyn Borough Hall.

"Have comfort in knowing that good people everywhere share your pain and grief! Stay strong, Brooklyn loves you!!" another signer had written.

"My prayers go to you," George added. "Gone but never forgotten."

Since Tuesday, the stretches of fabric have been in front of the building for anyone to sign. They'll be there through the weekend and into next week, and will also be brought to street fairs around the borough in the coming days.

The tribute is being organized by Borough President Eric Adams. Spokesman Stefan Ringel said that once the banners are filled with signatures, they'll be wrapped around Borough Hall.

Adams is exploring whether the borough can then donate the message-laden fabric to Orlando, Ringel said.

Asked what she hoped the gesture would mean to the people of that city, Williams said, "I just want them to see that other people care. You're not alone. We hear you, we see you, we know you."