Pulse Memorial Advisory Committee holds inaugural meeting: How to attend

Pulse Memorial Advisory Committee holds meeting

The Pulse Memorial Advisory Committee met at the Kia Center for its first meeting since the panel's creation earlier this month. With input from the public, the group will decide on the permanent memorial for the victims of the Pulse Nightclub shooting.

ORLANDO, Fla. - Pulse Memorial Advisory Committee Holds First Meeting at KIA Center

The Pulse Memorial Advisory Committee convened for its inaugural meeting at the Kia Center on Wednesday, drawing about 20 attendees in person and additional participants online.

Members have not yet delved into specifics about the memorial. Instead, each introduced themselves and shared their goals for its design. The committee includes survivors and mothers of victims, emphasizing a personal connection to the tragedy.

The dominant theme during the initial hour was "unfinished business," with members expressing that eight years without a permanent memorial was too long.

"I’m tired of the commercialization of the 49 lives stolen, and a memorial was stolen too," said Pulse survivor and Orlando artist Tommy Connelly. "It’s time to give them their memorial too."

The 18-member panel was chosen by a team of community leaders and announced earlier this month. The complete list of committee members is at the bottom of this article.

The committee will meet monthly, and members of the public can attend in person or virtually. Information on these meetings is available here.

The first is scheduled for Wednesday at the Kia Center from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., and another one is scheduled for Thursday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The in-person meetings on Wednesday and Thursday will be held in the Hourglass Room. For information about the virtual meetings, visit here to find a Zoom link and access numbers.

The greater Orlando community also has the opportunity to offer their input on the Pulse memorial design over the next several months. The first Open House event is scheduled for Thursday in the White and Blue Rooms at the Kia Center, between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. More details on that here.

The City of Orlando has also created a dedicated website to Pulse remembrance, which will feature historical records, information, and other updates about the upcoming memorial.

The Pulse Memorial Advisory Committee includes:

Aracelis Maria Jimenez, lost a family member in the tragedy
Brett Rigas, survivor and lost a family member in the tragedy
Brian Reagan, survivor, former Pulse employee, artist
Carlitos Diaz Rodriguez, family member of a survivor, architect/design professional, landscape architect, artist
Cesar Rodriguez, survivor
Felicia Burt, lost a family member in the tragedy
Jamie Reed, lost a friend in the tragedy, architect/design professional, marketing professional
Joshua Garcia, former Pulse employee, provided services after the tragedy, mental health professional
Keinon Carter, survivor
Kelly Dawson, lives in the Orlando area and felt the loss as a community member, architect/design professional
Rev. Marcelino Rivera, lost a friend in the tragedy, provided services after the tragedy, clergy and artist
Mayra Alvear BenabeI, lost a family member in the tragedy
Norman Casiano-Mojica, survivor
Nancy Rosado, provided services after the tragedy, mental health professional, community advocate, former first responder
Perry T Snider Jr., lost a friend in the tragedy, former Pulse employee, artist
Siclaly "Laly" M. Santiago-Leon, lost a family member in the tragedy
Terrance Hunter, regularly visited or patronized Pulse, educator and museum professional
Tommy Connelly, survivor, artist