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Justin Bieber: ‘I Won’t Cancel Orlando Show,’ Stands With Orlando Shooting Victims

By Page Mackinley
Published on: 09:19 PST, Jun 16, 2016

Justin Bieber is stepping up. On Thursday, the superstar tweeted that he “won’t cancel” his upcoming Orlando, Florida, concert, despite last weekend’s shooting massacre in a gay nightclub and the murder of singer Christina Grimmie by a separate gunman.

“For all those asking no I won’t cancel the Orlando show,” Bieber tweeted. “I stand with Orlando in support. Love you Orlando! #OrlandoStrong,” referring to the horrific killings which took place.

As the Inquisitr reported, Grimmie, 22, was shot and killed last Friday (June 11) by an obsessed “fan” gunman, as she signed autographs after her show at The Plaza Live in Orlando.

More tragedy followed on Sunday morning when 49 people were killed, 53 more were wounded, (six are still in a critical condition), after a gunman shot multiple victims inside Pulse, a gay nightclub. The slaughter is the deadliest mass shooting in recent U.S. history.

Bieber’s Purpose World Tour is scheduled to play in Orlando on June 30 at the Amway Center. The 114-date trek kicked off in Seattle, Washington, on March 9.

The “Sorry” singer has also added his voice to the roll call of celebrities and ordinary people calling for tighter gun control laws in the wake of the Orlando atrocities.

In addition to tributing Grimmie’s death at one of his Purpose shows over the weekend, the Biebs posted about the Pulse shootings on Facebook the same day as the nightclub tragedy unfolded.

Hours after the Orlando horrors took place, Bieber took to his over 77 million-strong Facebook account to repost a lengthy statement written by his longtime manager, Scooter Braun, which urged people to support stronger gun control laws.

In a note with his repost, Bieber expressed sympathy for the victims of the weekend’s violence and those affected. He also made it clear he completely agreed with Braun’s views, writing, “My manager. Smart guy. Read it. Sorry to everyone suffering today.”

In another post, Bieber added, “Let’s make a difference. Love.”

Braun’s post featured enlarged text which read “We Can Do More,” attached to the manager’s essay. Braun wrote, “I’m asking my fellow Americans to acknowledge we need a system to protect our future and the freedoms we claim to hold so dear.”

The father-of-one continued, “We need gun control laws to add to our freedoms not take away. We need to make the right decisions for the next generation.” He added, “But God isn’t going to change this… He gave us free choice. Let’s choose to make a difference.”

Bieber previously spoke up about his belief in the need for more stringent gun control laws during an interview in Paris with Clique TV during a promotional trip last September before the release of his acclaimed Purpose album.

When asked what his first decision would be as a hypothetical presidential candidate, Bieber replied, “I’d probably just fix some of the gun laws.”

He continued, “Because in Canada we don’t really have any guns and there’s no gun violence, so that really solves it.”

The Biebs added, “I mean they think that it’s for protection and stuff, but it always end up in some bozo’s hand.”

Scroll to 11:05 on the clip below for the gun control laws segment of the interview.

In addition to Braun and Bieber’s calling for stronger gun control laws, celebrities, politicians, and stars including
Alyssa Milano, Josh Groban, Kevin Smith, Mandy Moore, Adam Lambert, Marlee Matlin, Gabrielle Union, Julianne Moore, Lady Gaga, Nicky Hilton, John Legend, Emilie de Ravin. Reese Witherspoon, Christina Applegate, Enrique Iglesias, Rosie Perez, Milla Jovovich, Larry King, Ellen Page, Hilary Duff, Mindy Kaling, Amy Schumer, Nick Jonas, and more have expressed condolences, with some asking lawmakers to address the U.S.’ gun violence epidemic.

For those who wish to support the LGBT community at this terrible time, a GoFundMe page link can be accessed below. And if you’re a Justin Bieber fan who is going to the forthcoming Orlando show, stay safe.

[Images via Jeff Kravitz / Getty Images]

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