Behind The Lens: In Tribute to Orlando

People tie multicolored ribbons on a railing surrounding the Survivor Tree to honor victims of the Orlando nightclub attack.
People tied multicolored ribbons around the Survivor Tree last year to honor victims of the Orlando nightclub attack. Photo by Jin Lee

In this series, 9/11 Memorial & Museum staff photographer Jin Lee shares his view of select photographs taken on the site. 

A tribute for the victims of the Orlando nightclub attack was held on the 9/11 Memorial almost one year ago. It was a moving event to photograph. 

The events of 9/11 and the attack in Orlando, which happened one year ago today, were different in many ways but they both had an effect of bringing people together. People of many faiths, races and backgrounds showed solidarity in some powerful ways.

At the end of the tribute, hundreds of people tied multicolored ribbons around the Survivor Tree. The different colors tied closely to one another in the circle is a striking illustration of how many of us were feeling. It felt to me like an act of unity, and I think this image represents that beautifully.

By Jin Lee, 9/11 Memorial Director of Photography

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