Rainbow chain unites students in wake of Pulse shooting

More than 400 rainbow-colored links wrap around the main staircase of the Reitz Union in remembrance of the Pulse nightclub shooting.

The project started July 7, and it will run through Aug. 25, spanning for 49 days in memory of all 49 people killed.

The UF Division of Student Affairs placed thousands of links at more than 20 locations for students, faculty and families to write positive messages of unity and hope on for the One Pulse Unity Project.

Rick Garcia, a 20-year-old public relations junior, wrote the names of the victims.

“It’s such a visual way for people to see that they aren’t alone,” he said.

Garcia said the project builds on the Pulse ceremony and the lighting of Century Tower.

“This is a good way to honor the victims and to show people how to grieve, move on and live freely and positively in the wake of it,” he said.

The closing ceremony will take place in the Reitz Union on the last day of the project.

Garcia said he is impressed to see the chain wind around the third floor.

“Some people might think that it’s stupid or it’s just a paper chain, but when someone slows down going up the stairs to read those positive messages, you don’t know what that could mean to them,” he said.

A full list of locations students can write messages can be found at studentinvolvement.ufl.edu.