Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed shows support for Orlando nightclub victims

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed stopped in the middle of 10th Street Sunday night to tell people mourning the 50 people killed at an Orlando gay club early that morning that Atlanta stood "shoulder to shoulder" with the city.

"To the extent we eliminate stigma, we eliminate targets," Reed told people at a vigil at Ten, at 10th and Piedmont. "It's about the freedom to be who you are without being blown up or shot or killed for it."

Police had shut down 10th Street for the vigil. It began at 8:45 p.m., but crowds began gathering earlier. Reed arrived around 9:30 p.m., and was quickly surrounded as he stood in the middle of the road.

He told members of the LGBT community, allies and reporters that Atlanta was taking extra efforts to ensure that a similar attack wouldn’t happen here. But for now, he said, it’s important that additional police protection isn’t misconstrued as abuse.

“We had that history in our city, and we don’t want to repeat it,” he said.

Reed, wearing an LGBT pin on his gray suit, said building trust within the community is imperative.

But on Sunday, he said, he was there as a supporter.