Remarks by Hon. Volda Lawrence, Minister of Social Protection

              Remarks by Hon. Volda Lawrence, Minister of Social Protection

             On Shooting in Orlando on Sunday12th June, 2016

I would first like to express my condolences and words of comfort to the bereaved families and survivors who have been impacted by this heinous crime. It is impossible to fathom the depth of their grief and trauma at what has been perpetrated, but at the same time, we have witnessed the outpouring of love and support in the aftermath and so I would like, on behalf of the Ministry and my own behalf to lend my heartfelt support.

It is difficult to imagine in this era of freedom of expression and tolerance for sexual preferences that such biases continue to exist to the extent where a lone-wolf, armed with military firepower can snuff out the lives and maim so many in the twinkling of an eye. This assault on human life has touched atvarious strata of the society robbing the world at large of the potential expertise that this target group embodied. It is my hope that the families and survivors can be comforted in the knowledge that no effort is being spared to get to the root of this outrageous crime and to return some measure of normalcy to their lives.

Remarks by US Ambassador Perry Holloway at Iftar in Remembrance of Orlando Victims

Remarks

United States Ambassador to Guyana, Perry Holloway

Iftar in Remembrance of Orlando Victims

Thank you for inviting me to deliver remarks this evening. Ramadan Mubarak to you all. My remarks will be very brief, as I know many of you are keen to break your fast. I wish we were brought together under better circumstances. The events that took place in Orlando were devastating, but often in the face of tragic events we come together and gain a better understanding of the superficial traits we once thought divided us. It is in that vein that folks from all walks of life in Guyana are brought together for this Iftar. Thank you to the organizers from SASOD and Mr. and Mrs. Khan for gathering us here tonight.

First of all, our hearts go out to the families of those who have been killed. Our prayers go to those who have been wounded. This is a devastating attack on all Americans. It is one that is particularly painful for the people of Orlando, an area I am quite familiar with as my son attends university not too far from where the incident took place. However, I think we all recognize that this could have happened anywhere in the U.S., and we feel enormous solidarity and grief on behalf of the families that have been affected.