LiveBlog: George Mason Students Send Their Sympathies to VT. [2]

11:52PM: President Alan Merten has just arrived. A number of people have talked to our Broadside reporters:

"I'm here to support the students of Virginia Tech and their families and friends who go to Mason, I'm also here to support collage students in general so this doesn't happen again," said sophomore Gerry Moore.

11:58: Merten takes the stage to talk to the gathered students.

"Keep the people of Virginia Tech in your thoughts and in your prayers," said Merten. "I'm so proud to be president of George Mason University right now." He went on to thank students for organizing the event. Merten said we had a responsibility to reach out to students at VT because they are going to have a hard time.

12:04: People have been going up spontaneously during this informal event to speak out of their own experience.

"For the loved and the lost you will be with us always" said a man in a leather jacket emblazoned with the US flag. He spoke of the beauty of Virginia Tech and said that it was one of the most beautiful places he had ever been. Even in the wake of the tragedy it will be beautiful again.

12:08 (and previous quotes): A women named Elizabeth Kimbell talked about the negative coverage that VT had faced all day. One positive story she saw was the Student Body president from VT when asked by the media who he wanted to blame he had said that they did not want to blame anyone, they wanted to heal. "I'm glad that we are doing something different. I'm sure other universities are doing this but at least we are not adding to the negativity."

Three girls emblazoned in maroon and orange, VT's colors, stand close to the stage, two of them are from the area of VT and said that they grew up in Hokie country. The third girl, Ana Miller, has a boyfriend who is an engineering major there and was close to the shootings.

"It hit really close to home," said Fran Dickinson. "We've been glued to the TV all day. We wanted to show our support and make t-shirts and wear Hokie colors."

"It is like a second college to us." said Amber Walker.

Mike Vitale, a freshman music major, came with his roommates to the vigil. He spoke through tears, "it hurts so much, it's just not fair."

12:16PM: As speakers came on and off of the stage the crowd continued to grow, quiet and attentive with the wind in the background.