Pulse Unity Project closing today

The staircase leading up from the first floor of the Reitz Union will stop bearing hundreds of rainbow-colored paper bracelets commemorating the Pulse Nightclub shooting today.

Over 300 of the linked bracelets have covered the staircase since July 7 as part of the One Pulse Unity Project, which honors the 49 people killed June 12 in a deadly shooting at the Pulse night club in Orlando. The project’s closing ceremony will be at 11:30 a.m. in the Reitz Union Atrium.

Lloren Foster, the executive director of UF’s Multicultural and Diversity Affairs, will speak at the ceremony, said Diana Moreno, the program coordinator for Hispanic-Latino Affairs. Foster and other directors came up with the project’s design.

Mario Agosto, the president of the Hispanic Student Association, and Susan Webster, the Student Body president, will also speak.

Moreno said that while the tragedy happened more than two months ago, it continues to be in her thoughts.

“We want to honor every victim and their loved ones,” she said.

Messages written included, “It’s okay, we’re here for you,” and, “Be strong.”

Michael Samper, a UF computer science sophomore, said he hopes students come together to support one another.

“It’s a great campaign,” the 19-year-old said. “I can’t wait to attend the event and see how students take the initiative to unify our community.”