Air horn HB2 protest strikes somber note, honors Orlando
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- The weekly air horn orchestra in protest of HB2 took on a more somber note Wednesday night.
"Today we will refrain from sounding our horns the way we have for the last nine weeks," said organizer Tina Haver Currin.
Instead the group invited a conductor to lead the group in 49 drum hits. Each hit representing one of the victims killed in the Orlando nightclub massacre.
READ MORE: COMPLETE COVERAGE OF THE ORLANDO SHOOTINGS
"The tragedy in Orlando certainly upped the stakes of people needing to get out here and make some noise," said Will Goodyear, one of the protesters and percussionists.
This was the 10th Wednesday the group gathered in front of the Executive Mansion to make noise to protest the law.
Read all ABC11 stories about HB2 here
The law bans transgender people from using bathrooms that align with their gender identity in government buildings and public schools. Many in Wednesday's crowd, as well as in past protests, say the law fuels fear and anger against the LGBT community.
HB2 EXPLAINED
"It gives a green light to homophobia," Goodyear said.
"We have signs here today that say 'bigotry kills,' " said Grayson Haver Currin, the other organizer of the weekly protest.
Bigotry is what people in Wednesday's protest along Blount Street say fueled the massacre in Orlando. According to them, the new law is fueling hate in North Carolina.
"It makes it permissible to discriminate against people, makes it permissible by extension to hurt people," said Grayson Haver Currin.
Supporters of HB2 say the law is not about hate but about protecting women and children in bathrooms and locker rooms.
Soon after news of the shooting in Orlando spread, NC Gov. Pat McCrory ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff and issued this statement:
"The shooting that occurred in Orlando was a tragedy, and something that should never take place in our country. Those who died were innocent victims of an inexcusable act of violence. My prayers to out to the victims' families as well as to Mayor Buddy Dyer and the City of Orlando as they try to comprehend this tragic event. I have reached out Florida Governor Rick Scott offering my condolences and any assistance we as a state can provide...."
READ MORE: STATE LEADERS REACT TO ORLANDO SHOOTINGS
Leaders of the air horn orchestra said they will be back to full volume next week.
