Vigil for victims of Las Vegas mass shooting held in Center City

CENTER CITY (WPVI) -- Ceasefire PA organized a vigil for the victims of the Las Vegas shooting in Center City Tuesday.

"We know people need to pray and mourn but they also need to act," said Shira Goodman of Ceasefire PA. "Not a moment of silence, a moment of action."

One by one, state and local lawmakers and religious leaders sounded off, calling for changes to gun laws, telling the crowd to contact state and federal representatives.

"Lawmakers defend gun ownership as a God-given right, but healthcare coverage to treat the wounds as a God-given privilege," said Mayor Jim Kenney.

Also sharing the stage, 21-year-old Tiara Parker. The West Philadelphia native survived the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando last year, where 49 people were killed and 58 others were wounded.

"I know what it's like," said Parker. "Enough is enough."

Parker and her friend Patience Carter were both shot and survived. Parker's 18-year-old cousin Akyra Murray was killed.

"Just seeing Sunday it was too similar to what I went through," said Parker. "I feel like since it's similar, I had to do something. I had to start somewhere."

Because of what happened on Sunday, Parker said for the first time she has the courage to speak out and become an advocate. She is sharing her advice to the victims and their families.

"I know it hurts, but stay strong keep faith, stay blessed and stay in prayer," she said.

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