ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — President-elect Joe Biden delivered remarks on Tuesday evening at a vigil held for the more than 400,000 Americans who have died from COVID-19.
He spoke at the Lincoln Memorial's reflecting pool. Nearly 400 luminaries were lit to honor the victims of the virus.
"To heal, we must remember and it's hard sometimes to remember, but that's how we heal. It's important to do that as a nation. That's why we're here today. Between sundown and dusk, let us shine the lights in the darkness along the sacred pool of reflection, and remember all whom we lost," said President-elect Joe Biden.
The City of Tampa lit up Old City Hall on Tuesday to memorialize the lives lost to COVID-19. Old City Hall and the Bridges will remain red, white and blue on January 20th as a sign of unity on Inauguration Day.
"We still remember all those who suffered and died due to this pandemic. We also remember those who still live and suffer because of the loss of a loved one," said State Senator Darryl Rouson.
St. Pete Mayor Rick Kriseman, county commissioners and other elected leaders attended a vigil outside the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American History Museum on Tuesday.
"Here in Florida, we lost 24,000 people and more than 1,100 here in Pinellas. Those are large horrible numbers, but they're more than just numbers. I get very angry when we focus on the numbers themselves and lose sight of what the numbers really truly represent," said Mayor Rick Kriseman.
Pinellas County Commissioner Rene Flowers urges people to wear a mask and practice social distancing. She also encourages people to not gather in large groups.
"We're asking you to do so...so we're not putting our health professionals in harm's way to take care of you because you have made a choice that was not the best choice," said Commissioner Flowers.
