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Thousands Crowd Streets Around Stonewall Inn to Mourn Orlando Victims

 A couple embraces during a rally in front of the Stonewall Inn for the victims of the Orlando shooting on Monday, June 13, 2016.
A couple embraces during a rally in front of the Stonewall Inn for the victims of the Orlando shooting on Monday, June 13, 2016.
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DNAinfo/Ben Fractenberg

WEST VILLAGE — Thousands of people crowded the streets around the Stonewall Inn Monday night to mourn the victims of this weekend's mass shooting in Orlando, Florida.

The attack at a gay nightclub just after 2 a.m. Sunday was the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history, claiming the lives of 49 people plus the shooter, and leaving 53 people injured.

At the Monday night vigil on Christopher Street, signs and chants urged gun control, solidarity with the victims and LGBT rights.

(DNAinfo/Ben Fractenberg)

Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Mayor Bill de Blasio and an array of gay and lesbian lawmakers and activists spoke at the vigil, calling for unity and urging people to turn out for the upcoming NYC Pride Parade on June 26.

"We say to our enemies tonight, you haven't caused us fear, you have caused us to be more unified than ever before," Cuomo said. "And let's pledge tonight to have the largest — and safest — Pride parade in history."

Earlier in the day, Annie Lanzillotto, 53, of The Bronx, and Nick Slie, 37, from New Orleans, sat down in the park across from the historic bar to write out the names of all of the victims on the ground in chalk. Inwood resident Holly Mehedin, 35, was sitting nearby and got up to help them.

"It had to be done," Lanzillotto said.

"It's better than sitting there and crying for three hours," Mehedin added. "It's therapeutic." 

The vigil Monday night ended with a recitation of the names of the victims, as the crowd held up candles, cellphones and small lights. After each name, the crowd shouted "presente" — a suggestion that the primarily Latino victims were there with the audience.

Singer Nick Jonas was among those who spoke in support of the victims at the vigil and said, "Enough is enough," and called for an end to violence. 

He also added his support for the LGBT community, saying, "Please know you are not alone. New York is so strong. And we ain't scared of anybody."

Public Advocate Letitia James and other Brooklyn-based lawmakers will hold another vigil in Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.