Civil and Human Rights Coalition Condemns Orlando Mass Shooting, Stands in Solidarity with LGBT Community

WASHINGTON - June 13, 2016 – Wade Henderson, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement in response to Sunday's mass shooting at Pulse nightclub in Orlando:

"Our prayers today are with the victims of this horrific mass shooting in Orlando and with their families and friends. We also extend our love and support to the entire LGBT community, which is grappling with the coldblooded violence inflicted upon those who were targeted in this attack. The 50 young people who were killed came from diverse backgrounds and had entire lives ahead of them. And, even worse, this not an isolated incident in a nation where the LGBT community is targeted in more than 21 percent of all hate crimes.

Hate violence has no place in our nation and we urge everyone to join together in working to end such depravations that seek to diminish and divide us. We owe it to the victims of this tragedy to commit ourselves to being a country that values humanity and the worth of every person. "

Wade Henderson is president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 200 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its 200-plus member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.