Last night, in a tragic turn of events, more than 50 people were killed and more than 50 others wounded in a late night shooting and hostage situation in Orlando, Florida. Now considered the deadliest mass shooting in American history, the tragedy took place in a gay Orlando nightclub called Pulse.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer has now declared a state of emergency in the city. The shooter has been identified as Omar Mateen, 29, of Port St. Lucie, which is roughly 12o miles from Orlando. He was killed by police. He brought multiple weapons into the club, including an AR-15 and a handgun–Orlando’s police chief John Mina said that: “it appears he was organized and well-prepared.”

It is unclear at this point exactly what Mateen’s motivation was, but sources are reporting that he swore ISIS alliance.

As of right now, many survivors are being treated at local hospitals, and there is an urgent need for blood donations in the area.

County fire officials @Local2057IAFF say Orlando has a “urgent need” for blood donations following mass shooting pic.twitter.com/IdTQCPoWk7

— BuzzFeed News (@BuzzFeedNews) June 12, 2016

June is pride month in the United States, and pride celebrations occurred in Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Boston, Detroit, Philadelphia, and other cities this weekend. Many of those events took some time to recognize last night’s victims–it was announced that the LA Pride Parade today began with a moment of silence for the victims in Orlando.

D.C.’s Capital Pride Festival also held a moment of silence.

From the US Capitol,our thoughts are with the people of Orlando. 1pm moment of silence at today’s Pride Concert. pic.twitter.com/ct4Y4uxQ69

— Capital Pride (@CapitalPrideDC) June 12, 2016

Some of the pride celebrations this weekend, like the one in Philadelphia, announced that they will be adding additional security to the venues.

The FBI and other officials have warned that a lengthy investigation into the shooting a the Orlando nightclub will be conducted–more details are sure to come as the investigation proceeds.

Anneliese Mahoney

Anneliese Mahoney is Managing Editor at Law Street and a Connecticut transplant to Washington D.C. She has a Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs from the George Washington University, and a passion for law, politics, and social issues. Contact Anneliese at amahoney@LawStreetMedia.com.

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What were you doing Saturday night? Whatever it was, it couldn’t have been anywhere near as cool as 19-year-old Alex Schlaferman’s massive dance party held on the Manhattan Bridge walkway.

Alex Xander, as he calls himself considers himself as, “the Great Gatsby, when it comes to stuff like this” and promotes his flash mob/dancy party events via Xandernation. The party went on from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m. when police finally decided that the party must come to an end. Still, a 4-hour party on the Manhattan Bridge is a story waiting to find an ear, but was it worth getting arrested for? Alex Xander says that it was well worth it and he shows no intention to stop putting on events such as the Manhattan Bridge Dance Party.

Where will you be when the next Xandernation event hits NYC. NYC rules require apply for a Street Activity Permit issued by the Mayor’s Street Activity Permit Office (SAPO). However, in their permitted events they lack anything close to which Xander’s event could be classified, except maybe Special Event. Therefore, maybe Xander’s best course of action next time, to avoid getting arrested is to take some time and fill out an online permit application (yes, you can apply online) via E-Apply. After all, Gatsby never got arrested at his parties.

New York News

Check outGothamist for more pictures and videos.

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Rob Anthony is a founding member of Law Street Media. He is a New Yorker, born and raised, and a graduate of New York Law School. In the words of Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas, “We need to be bold and adventurous in our thinking in order to survive.” Contact Rob at staff@LawStreetMedia.com.

Featured image courtesy of [Thomas Hawk via Flickr]

Robbin Antony

Rob Antony is a founding member of Law Street Media. He is a New Yorker, born and raised, and a graduate of New York Law School. Contact Rob at staff@LawStreetMedia.com.

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