28 of the most powerful and heartbreaking tweets about the Orlando club massacre

It’s the shocking tragedy that has convulsed America and the wider world – the worst gun massacre yet committed in the United States.

Details are still emerging about the murder of some 50 people at the Pulse LGBT nightclub in Orlando, Florida, by gunman Omar Mateen (29), and the brutal hate crime has led to an outpouring of shock, grief, anger, fear, and love over the past 24 hours.

Here are some of the most powerful, emotional, and thought-provoking reactions from Twitter, starting with a viral tweet from last June that thousands of people re-shared yesterday due to its depressing topicality. 

1)

In retrospect Sandy Hook marked the end of the US gun control debate. Once America decided killing children was bearable, it was over.

— (((Dan Hodges))) (@DPJHodges) June 19, 2015

2)

Tonys: James Corden Gives Somber Opening on Orlando Shooting https://t.co/vVdfltQoHb

— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) June 13, 2016

3)

If you can't wrap your head around a bar or club as a sanctuary, you've probably never been afraid to hold someone's hand in public.

— Jeramey Kraatz (@jerameykraatz) June 12, 2016

4)

https://twitter.com/steenfox/status/742050348550868992

5)

https://twitter.com/b2dac/status/742060188648284160

6)

https://twitter.com/Raphaelite_Girl/status/741963676094234624

7)

i want to know in concrete terms what is so gorgeous about heterosexuality that it warrants the murder of those who do not abide by it

— hari nef (@harinef) June 12, 2016

8)

"It is an outrage that our blood can be spilled but not donated." #Pulseshooting https://t.co/6QJeWhXWuh

— Eliel Cruz (@elielcruz) June 12, 2016

9)

Since the queer and trans community can't donate blood to save their own, one of largest Muslim groups does this: https://t.co/m2ulcIRHCO

— Gersande La Flèche (@gersandelf) June 12, 2016

10)

https://twitter.com/Ankaman616/status/742006461115555840

11)

I just hope folks are aware as to how their casual homophobia feeds violent attacks like this.

— damita jo (@KiaSpeaks) June 12, 2016

12)

it was latino night at the club. latinx lgbt people were targeted and killed. please don't forget that

— ۟ (@wonnnwoo) June 12, 2016

13)

https://twitter.com/hanifleylabi/status/742129845577076736

14)

https://twitter.com/wilw/status/742084037053800448

15)

https://twitter.com/Tweet_Dec/status/742288379958722560

16)

https://twitter.com/KieseLaymon/status/742020344203075584

17)

THIS is why we have #Pride. Because everyday there is someone who wishes we didn't exist, and yet we do, with love and joy. #Pride2016

— river buddy butcher 🤠 (@rivbutcher) June 12, 2016

18)

Chance, 3, just waved to a fire truck. His dads were concerned about safety, but they're here in solidarity pic.twitter.com/D6cpTnpjmv

— Claudia Koerner (@ClaudiaKoerner) June 12, 2016

19)

https://twitter.com/Tweet_Dec/status/742260634893570048

20)

You've palled around w/a pastor who has called "for the death penalty for homosexuals." You are part of the problem. https://t.co/kToifohyVJ

— Gabe Ortíz (@TUSK81) June 12, 2016

21)

AR-15 rifles are banned in UK.
Total AR-15 shootings in UK = 0
America – the madness has to stop – ban AR-15 rifles.#orlando #GunControlNow

— James Melville 🚜 (@JamesMelville) June 12, 2016

22)

Luis Vielma worked on the Harry Potter ride at Universal. He was 22 years old. I can't stop crying. #Orlando pic.twitter.com/Nz2ZCWxNsS

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 13, 2016

23)

President Obama took an awful, alarmist question on gun control just 10 days ago. You’ll want to watch his response. https://t.co/E2Fyo3ChhY

— Jamil Smith جميل كريم (@JamilSmith) June 12, 2016

24)

https://twitter.com/BobbyBigWheel/status/742005327168671744

25)

USA, the country where "Trans people in the bathroom are a threat to public safety" yet mass-murders are quite literally an everyday event.

— dened rey moreno 🌈 (@Hajabeg) June 12, 2016

26)

Canada has had 8 mass shootings in 20 years. The US has had 7 since Monday.

— Rachel West (@rachel_is_here) June 12, 2016

27)

We forget that gay people gathering to celebrate is still a brave political act. Unspeakably sad for the brothers and sisters we've lost.

— Chris Schleicher (@cschleichsrun) June 12, 2016

28)

https://twitter.com/DavidKlion/status/741981530952769536