ORLANDO, Fla. – Zane Aparicio, who goes by Cait Aldebrandt, returned to the Pulse crosswalk area in Orlando on Sunday to support the LGBTQ community despite being attacked the day before and facing threats of violence against protesters.
“We’re in support of the queer community and Latino community here in Orlando. We’re not letting this stand with the crosswalk,” Aparicio said.
Aparicio was captured on video being punched and kicked in the face while trying to stop someone from removing a trans and rainbow flag from the area on Saturday.
[VIDEO: Orlando police investigating ‘incident’ near Pulse nightclub]
They returned Sunday—even after seeing a Facebook post from a man threatening to shoot protesters.
“Yeah, I think it’s gotten out of hand. Of course it’s gotten out of hand. We haven’t done anything to deserve this. We’re chalking. We haven’t threatened anyone. We haven’t made threats online even,” Aparicio added.
The poster claimed he would bring a mop and water to clean the chalk, along with both lethal and non-lethal guns for “self-defense.”
That threat caused local LGBTQ supporters to cancel their rally at the crosswalk on Sunday.
Some still showed up, including Orlando resident Melody Short.
“I fear for my life. I actively fear for my life,” said Short.
[VIDEO: Crosswalk battle continues in Downtown Orlando]
Several attendees admitted they considered their own safety before coming Sunday, but said they believed it was worth the risk to stand up for the people who died during the mass shooting at Pulse.
Orange County resident Courtney Wehrspaun agreed, saying, “You have to say something. You’re in a place where you’ve got to speak up. The threat of violence—yeah it scared me—but I’m here to talk and I’m talking now.”
News 6 reached out to Orlando police to see if they are investigating the post, but we have not heard back.