Music, prayer, poetry and an overall message of ending hate against the LGBTQ community as hundreds flooded the Halifax Common to show support for those killed in a mass shooting at an Orlando nightclub early Sunday morning.

The event, organized by Halifax Pride, featured a number of different speakers and performances in a show of solidarity.

Halifax’s poet laureate, Rebecca Thomas addressed the crowd with a powerful spoken word piece.

“The lives of fifty human beings ended too soon, tonight there will be fifty lovers without spoons, fifty missing future ‘I dos’, fifty families, biological or chosen, will be missing their kids,” she said.

“Fifty lives are the heaviest price paid yet for the second amendment, where we marry cold steal instead of stealing ourselves against cold hearts that pulse in our chests.”

Halifax’s poet laureate Rebecca Thomas:

Mayor Mike Savage also offered his thoughts to the community in wake of the Orlando shooting, saying the only way the world can exist is if we recognize and honour each other.

“This is not okay, this is not acceptable, and if ever there’s a time we need to build bridges and not walls among ourselves, this is the time for that,” he said.

With 49 dead and another 53 wounded, the massacre is being described the deadliest in U.S. history, and the deadliest terror attack on American soil since the 9-11 attacks.

U.S. Consul General for Atlantic Canada, Steven Giegerich, thanked Haligonians for coming together to mourn those lost.

“As a proud member of the LBGTQ community, as well as the staff at the U.S. Consulate, and indeed all of America, I just want to say how much I really appreciate everybody being here and showing your support for these trying times.”

Halifax Regional Police Chief Jean-Michel Blais also attended the vigil.

A great, inclusive, solemn ceremony. Refusing to fall prey to fear or to hate. Be proud Halifax #OrlandoStrong @HalifaxPride @HfxRegPolice — Chief JM Blais, HRP (@JMBlais1) June 14, 2016

The weekend shooting hit close to home for many in the crowd, Rick said he needed to come out to show his support and stand with his brothers and sisters.

“It’s a tragic thing that happened,” he said. “It’s times like this we have to come together.”

His friend Chris added, “We are a community, we are a family, we’re not going anywhere.”

Cora-Lee LeBlanc said it was important for her to join with others in a show of solidarity.

“I think it’s so important that we show the whole world through social media that love will always win,” said Cora-Lee LeBlanc.

“We can all come together during this time of tragedy, relate and remember the people who were lost, but also move forward and grow, and move on from all this hatred.”