Sacramento Area Residents Mourn, Stand In Solidarity With Orlando

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) – Northern Californians turned their hearts and minds to Orlando. Strangers cried with strangers after the deadliest mass shooting in the U.S. on Sunday; the message today was clear: Sacramento stands with Orlando.

"Today, we are all from Orlando, Florida," said mayor-elect Darrell Steinberg. "We grieve for the people killed and their families. And pray for the recovery of those who were injured."

"This is targeting this particular community that is vulnerable, that needs more attention and more protection," said Allison Padilla.

Just five days after his election win, mayor-elect Darrell Steinberg reflected on what the events on early Sunday morning meant the LGBT community.

"We have made historic gains towards achieving equality, justice and freedom for LGBT Americans and yet our work together is far from done," Steinberg said.

Don Bentz, Executive Director of the Sacramento LGBT Community Center, spent most of his life living in Tampa, just 80 miles from Orlando.

"Florida progressively is way behind California as far as its acceptance of LGBT people," Bentz said.

In the street, dozens drew chalk outlines to symbolize the lives of 50 people that are now gone.

"It makes it pretty real in my mind and my heart that these are lives that have been lost," Padilla said.

Over in Davis, 50 candles were lit for each life lost. Sandre Nelson, Davis-Phoenix Davis Pride Director, told CBS13 it's time to end the hatred.

"Stop being silent," Nelson said. "We need to stand out there and say 'Hey, I'm not going to tolerate this in my community anymore.'"

At Stockton City Hall, 60 people came together to talk about their safety. But regardless of the city, their hearts were 3,000 miles away, hurting for dozens of families they've never even met.