LiveBlog: George Mason Students Send Their Sympathies to VT. [4]

12:33: Though I've said it already, the cold tonight is notable for this time and to see so many out here, despite the cold, the wind, and the bad weather, provides its own type of warmth.

12:35: Mason students have taken the stage stating what things they, in the midst of tragedy, have to be thankful for, the people on whom they, in this time of tragedy, have leaned on and depended on. They are thankful of the small goods that come from horror, the knowledge that will insure that we all will be able to prevent this from happening again, the ability to count your blessings and to acknowledge those around you.



12:43: A number of Jewish students have gathered to say the Mourner's Kaddish, a prayer for the dead.

12:46: The vigil has officially ended, but many students remain standing together, talking to each other about the events of the day.





Broadside's sympathies and hopes are with the VT families. We hope that all those injured, be it in mind or body, heal and our prayers go with the families of the dead.

LiveBlog: George Mason Students Send Their Sympathies to VT. [3]

12:24: Though they face a stiff breeze and cold weather however everyone continues. Right now people have begun to sing Amazing Grace in low tones, a beautiful sound.

J.D. Weiman, the speaker of the Student Senate who was dressed in a suit to match the solemnity of the occasion, said a few words, leaning towards brevity. Fellow Senator Joseph Sorgini spoke passionately to the crowd about the importance of prayer for Virginia Tech.

It has been observed that a TV crew, who is believed to have been dispatched from ABC, is at the event tonight.

Many people are standing together leaning against each other for support. Members of the Greek Community are here as well, hugging brothers and looking on quietly.

Many members of the student government are here to pay their respects as well.

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.

LiveBlog: George Mason Students Send Their Sympathies to VT.

It has been a long day. As any of the BroadsideOnline Blog's readers may have noticed we have been following the VT shootout stories very closely, with accurate, up-to-the-minute coverage. I personally have read and watched what must be hundreds of various reports on the subject, ranging from total conjecture to VT Officials' press conferences. Though you, dear reader, may not have been aware, this blog has had very up to date and accurate coverage. We broke a full write up of the story quickly and efficiently. We had a more up to date count of injured and dead then when the New York Times went to the digital presses. We've hunted down and brought to your attention the few theories and questions that turned out to be true. While this day has been filled by tragedy, we at Broadside have fuffiled our duty to our readership and our community with everyone here in the office putting in their full effort to ensure that Mason's students were kept up to date. I'd like to take a quick moment here to thank Broadside's staff for their steady hands during a shocking and harrowing day.

All in all it has been a lot. It has been exhausting but, when we see the reaction of Mason students, ultimately satisfying. One of the most heartening things we've been able to report has been the outpouring of support for the VT community from all over the nation, and especially from the George Mason Community. Officials have been organizing group meetings all through this evening. A number of campus and student officials have come forward to comment and send their condolences to VT, students have brought their voices to the fore. In a day filled with keeping death counts up to date and trying to insure that we know the most about the young Asian male who killed 32 today before finally turning his gun on himself, my ability to report the vast care we as Mason students have felt towards our VT compatriots is almost a relief.

Therefore it is only fitting that we end the day's blog coverage with a live blog covering the midnight Candle Light Vigil being held next to the JC. I will be updating this blog post constantly with new content and giving you readers complete coverage of the event, and the emotional heart of this campus.

[Edited for clarity.]

Posts will go up at most every few minutes. So keep refreshing to keep up to date.

11:47PM: I've arrived with a number of Broadside staff here in front of the clocktower, already, 15 minutes before the event, a large crowd has gathered. Students of all types, ages, and dress, are gathering in front of the stage erected here for the event. Lit only by the glow of the clock tower they are talking in hushed tones, gathering against the cold and the wind in clusters, while more people arrive any minute.

11:50PM: Three Mason police cars have arrived, presumably to provide security for the event

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.