Terry George leads moving Leeds vigil after mass shooting at gay nightclub in Colorado

Abbey Maclure
By Abbey Maclure
Published 26th Nov 2022, 13:09 BST
Updated 26th Nov 2022, 13:37 BST
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Hundreds of people lined Lower Briggate on Friday evening, paying their respects to the victims of a mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Colorado.

The vigil, organised by Leeds businessman Terry George and his partner Michael Rothwell, was held in the city’s Freedom Quarter and in partnership with Birmingham’s LGBTQ nightlife scene. Authorities said five people were killed and 17 injured by gunfire last weekend at Club Q, a well-known gathering place for the LGBTQ community in Colorado Springs.

Terry, who owns Leeds bars Viaduct and Fibre, said customers from neighbouring venues joined together for the vigil - with speeches from Terry and the leader of Leeds City Council, James Lewis. Councillor Lewis said he has written to the governor of Colorado Springs on behalf of Leeds, sending the city’s support, condolences and solidarity.

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“It was very emotional,” Terry told the Yorkshire Evening Post. “We wanted to show solidarity. On this occasion, it seems that a lot of people didn’t know this shooting had happened. It seems to have gone unnoticed by a lot of people.