Ricky Martin partners with foundation creating memorial for Pulse shooting victims
"I ask everyone to join our movement, commit to change and share the love" says Ricky.
Words: Jamie Tabberer; picture: Instagram/rickymartin
Ricky Martin has been announced as a partner of the non-profit onePULSE Foundation, which is creating a memorial and museum dedicated to victims of the Pulse shooting.
The ‘Livin’ La Vida Loca’ singer will also serve as a spokesperson for the foundation and make public service announcements about tolerance, ahead of the five-year anniversary of the massacre.
Some 49 people died during the attack on 12 June 2016, when perpetrator Omar Mateen opened fire in LGBTQ Orlando nightclub Pulse.
Pulse was hosting a ‘Latin night’ at the time, and most of the victims were Latino. Mateen injured a further 53 people, and was later killed in a shootout with local police.
“Commit to change and share the love”
Ricky commented: “I’m excited to assist onePULSE Foundation with engagement and awareness-building opportunities as they build the National Pulse Memorial & Museum.
“The OUTLOVE HATE campaign is the perfect way to start our partnership. I ask everyone to join our movement, commit to change and share the love, starting on Valentine’s Day.”
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“We are thrilled to have one of the best-selling international music artists of all time join our Pulse family as a national spokesperson,” added Earl Crittenden, onePULSE Foundation board chair.
“His global platform allows us to share our mission with even more audiences, ensuring Pulse’s legacy of love lives on forever.”
According to the onePULSE website, the OUTLOVE HATE campaign hopes to raise $49 million [£35.2m], with proceeds going towards educational programs, community outreach and 49 legacy scholarships, as well as the museum and memorial.
A rep added: ‘”It is a call-to-action to all communities for donations that support the onePULSE Foundation’s mission and vision: to preserve the memory of the 49 angels taken in the Pulse nightclub shooting, to honor the survivors, first responders and healthcare professionals, and to prevent this tragedy from happening again.”
For more information, visit the onePULSE Foundation website.
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