ORLANDO, Fla. — Saturday marks five years since the Pulse nightclub shooting massacre.
Read live updates on the day’s remembrance events below:
11:15 p.m. update
See our in-depth coverage below:
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10:15 p.m. update
See the entire Pulse remembrance ceremony below:
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9:15 p.m. update
The threat of rain didn’t keep hundreds away from honoring the 49 victims lost in the Pulse shooting five years ago.
A rainbow appeared over the ceremony, as one has every year for the past five years. Read more here.
7:15 p.m. update
The Pulse remembrance ceremony is now underway.
Click here to stream it live, or click here to watch it live on your smart TV.
6:15 p.m. update
People have gathered at Pulse nightclub to remember the 49 people lost five years ago Saturday.
A remembrance ceremony will begin at the site at 7 p.m. It is limited to survivors, victims’ families and first responders.
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A livestream of the vigil will be shown at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. That site is open to the public.
Click here to stream the ceremony live on your computer or mobile device.
Click here to stream the vigil live on your smart TV.
WATCH: Channel 9 presents ‘Pulse: 5 Years of Healing & Hope’
12:40 p.m. update
President Joe Biden announced Saturday that he will be signing a bill designating the Pulse nightclub as a national memorial.
Read his full statement below:
“Five years ago today in Orlando in the middle of Pride Month, our nation suffered the deadliest attack affecting the LGBTQ+ community in American history, and at the time, the deadliest mass shooting by a single gunman.
“Within minutes, the Pulse nightclub that had long been a place of acceptance and joy turned into a place of unspeakable pain and loss. Forty-nine people were there celebrating Latin night were murdered, even more injured, and countless others scarred forever – the victims were family members, partners and friends, veterans and students, young, Black, Asian and Latino – our fellow Americans.
“A few days later, I traveled with President Obama to pay respects to them and their families, to thank the brave first responders and the community who found strength and compassion in each other, and to pledge that what happened would not be forgotten.
“Over the years, I have stayed in touch with families of the victims and with the survivors who have turned their pain into purpose, and who remind us that we must do more than remember victims of gun violence and all of the survivors, family members, and friends left behind; we must act.
“In the coming days, I will sign a bill designating Pulse Nightclub as a national memorial, enshrining in law what has been true since that terrible day five years ago: Pulse Nightclub is hallowed ground. But there is more we must do to address the public health epidemic of gun violence in all of its forms – mass shootings and daily acts of gun violence that don’t make national headlines.
“It is long past time we close the loopholes that allow gun buyers to bypass background checks in this country, and the Senate should start by passing the three House-passed bills which would do exactly that. It is long past time we ban assault weapons and high capacity magazines, establish extreme risk protection orders, also known as “red flag” laws, and eliminate gun manufacturers’ immunity from liability.
“We must also acknowledge gun violence’s particular impact on LGBTQ+ communities across our nation. We must drive out hate and inequities that contribute to the epidemic of violence and murder against transgender women – especially transgender women of color. We must create a world in which our LGBTQ+ young people are loved, accepted, and feel safe in living their truth. And the Senate must swiftly pass the Equality Act, legislation that will ensure LGBTQ+ Americans finally have equal protection under law.
“In the memory of all of those lost at the Pulse nightclub five years ago, let us continue the work to be a nation at our best – one that recognizes and protects the dignity and safety of every American.”
12 p.m. update
Bells are ringing in honor of the 49 people who lost their lives at Pulse.
Watch the video below:
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10:50 a.m. update
The First United Methodist church will ring the bells from downtown Orlando at noon in honor of the 49 people who were killed in the Pulse nightclub shooting.
WATCH: Channel 9 presents ‘Pulse: 5 Years of Healing & Hope’
10 a.m. update
If you’re headed to downtown Orlando for the Pulse remembrance ceremony, some travel lanes will be closed.
Click here to see a full list of the road closures.
READ: Traffic alert: Several downtown Orlando roads will be closed for Pulse remembrance ceremony
9:35 a.m. update
Sen. Rick Scott tweeted about the Pulse nightclub shooting on Saturday morning.
“Five years ago, Florida was attacked, our LGBTQ and Hispanic communities were attacked, and we lost 49 innocent lives in a horrific act of terrorism at Pulse Nightclub,” he tweeted. “We pause to honor the memory of those taken from us that day. They will never be forgotten.”
8:20 a.m. update
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Saturday that June 12 will be Pulse Remembrance Day in Florida.
“Florida honors the memories of those who were murdered on one of the darkest days in Florida’s history,” he said.
The day will recognize the 49 people who lost their lives in the shooting.
The governor signed an order that asks all Florida residents to pause for a moment of silence at 9 a.m.
It also asks for all state flags to be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on June 12.
7 a.m. update
Central Florida law enforcement agencies are remembering the 49 people who lost their lives during the Pulse nightclub shooting.
See their tweets below:
6:15 a.m. update
There will be a an event to honor the victims and their families Saturday evening.
The Pulse Five-Year Remembrance Ceremony will take place at the Pulse Interim Memorial for a limited audience of Pulse families, survivors, first responders and those participating in the live ceremony.
Photos: See inside the new exhibit commemorating 5 years since Pulse nightclub shooting
Officials said the general public is invited to watch a live stream of the annual ceremony at the Frontyard Festival at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. The event starts at 7 p.m.
Anyone interested in attending the event must fill out a form online.
5:30 a.m. update
People are gathering at Pulse to honor those that were lost when shots rang out at the nightclub five years ago.
49 people were taken from their families that day.
READ: Remembering Pulse: Officials release schedule of events to honor victims
Families and loved ones were seen lighting candles.
See a list of events happening Saturday here.
Channel 9 has a team of reporters working to honor the 49 people who were killed in the shooting.
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