Pulse nightclub demolition begins in Florida, paving way for memorial

Demolition began at Orlando’s Pulse nightclub as the city clears the site for a permanent memorial to the 49 people killed there. On Wednesday, crews start tearing down walls that still show bullet holes. The attack happened on June 12, 2016, during a Latin night event. The memorial plan comes during fights over LGBTQ+ symbols. Last year, federal officials removed a pride flag at the historic monument Stonewall, causing outrage among activists in New York. Florida workers also painted over a rainbow crosswalk near Pulse after a transportation memo that banned political memorials. The City of Orlando bought the property in 2023 and plans a memorial set to open in 2027.