The Johnstown community showed Thursday afternoon that they stand by Orlando, the LGBTQ community, and peace.

“We can’t continue to live in a world where people are persecuted and killed because of how they show up on this planet,” Rachel Allen, organizer of Thursday’s event said.

A diverse group of people were present in Central Park.  Folks of different faiths, backgrounds, and ages reflected on Sunday’s events and how they felt when they first heard about the massacre.

“Both of us cried.  As the numbers grew and as we heard more, just knowing that it was an act of violence targeted specifically at this community was heartbreaking,” Erika Brosig, who spoke at the event, said.

The afternoon was also a chance for the community to move forward.

“I will choose love,” Brosig announced.

Members of the LGBTQ community spoke about acceptance and healing.

“The main message of today is just unity, bringing the community together in a different way,” Brosig said.

A letter was also read from a leader from Johnstown’s Muslim community, who said we are in this together.