MINNEAPOLIS — Some members of the Twin Cities community stood in solidarity with the Club Q shooting victims and their loved ones Wednesday night for a candlelight vigil.
Under a rainbow flag hung with pride, a symbol of unity waved above those standing together outside the Saloon in downtown Minneapolis.
"An attack against any part of our LGBTQ+ community is an attack against all of us," said KQ Quinn, a spokesperson for OutFront Minnesota.
The attack, which left five people dead and nearly 20 others injured, occurred on Saturday night at Club Q in Colorado Springs.
The venue, like many others across the country, served as a safe place for members of the LGBTQ+ community.
"Attacks like this and at Pulse nightclub are a violation of these places of refuge and community," said Quinn.
While grief and fear grip at mourner's hearts, the candlelight carried by those outside the Saloon Wednesday night is a symbol of hope to drive out the darkness that lingers.
"We have fought for the freedoms that we have and we are not going back into the closet, we are not going to be fearful, we are here and we exist," said Karri Joe Plowman, Co-owner of Twin Cities Leather.
"No hiding in the shadows, no standing in the background, we are up front and we are leading," said Minneapolis City Council President Andrea Jenkins.
Some members of the community say they are committed to standing together and as for the suspect, they're due back in court on December 6th.
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