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Orlando anti-Trump protests preach love, unity, and healing

Thousands march through downtown
Posted at 11:14 PM, Nov 11, 2016
and last updated 2016-11-11 23:14:55-05

An anti- Donald Trump rally drew thousands of people into Lake Eola Park to, as one protester told us, heal.

For many, electing Donald Trump as the next President of the United States is scary reality. They feel that Trump is a candidate that is full of hate towards women, minorities, and members of the LGBTQ community.

“People are hurting and they get to be heard and get all that emotion out and you can't move on and heal without first getting that out,” Keith Kelley said.  “Between the gay community and Latin community to go through what happened here a few months ago (Pulse nightclub shooting) then elect Trump…it’s a tough pill to swallow, unbelievable.”

On the top of a lot of protesters minds is the Pulse nightclub shooting on June 12.  A gunman opened fire at the gay club on Latin night killing 49 people and injuring 53 others.  Many people believe it wasn’t just a terrorist attack, but a hate crime as well.

“It's been a terrible year,” Orlando Torres said.  

Torres was inside Pulse nightclub when the gunman came in.  He said the hate he felt that night has been tough to deal with and he feels that Trump is a hateful person.

“Our worries, are hoping that everything that we stood for and built up for marriage equality won't go backwards and taken away from us. We've come a long way and we don't need someone that's going to go against it,” Torres said.