Two vigils are being held in the area, one in New Hope on Monday, June 13, 2016, and a second in Clinton Township on Tuesday, June 14, 2016.
The mass shooting at an Orlando nightclub that took 50 lives early Sunday morning has prompted plans for a vigil Monday night on the banks of the Delaware River in New Hope, Pa.
A second vigil is planned Tuesday afternoon in front of North Hunterdon High School, from 1 to 3 p.m., by the school's Gay Straight Alliance.
"It is important to remember that this could happen anywhere," the board of New Hope Celebrates, which organizes New Jersey's largest Pride Parade each year between New Hope and Lambertville, stated Monday in a media release.
The group is holding Monday's vigil at 8 p.m. on the grassy area behind the Bucks County Playhouse.
A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside a crowded gay nightclub early Sunday, killing at least 50 people before dying in a gunfight with SWAT officers, police said.
Shooting devastates N.J.'s largest LGBT community
The gunfire began shortly before the club known as Pulse was to close, while more than 300 people were inside. In addition to those killed, more than 50 people were injured in the deadliest mass shooting in the country's history.
"The board of New Hope Celebrates joins the rest of the world in the condemnation of the horrific act of terrorism in Orlando early Sunday morning, the 12th of June, 2016," the organization stated in a release Monday morning.
"We grieve with the families who are experiencing such great loss today as a result of the mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando early Sunday morning. We also send our thoughts and prayers to those injured and to all of the families and friends coming to terms with this horrendous incident.
"This was an act of terror and hate against not only the LGBT community but against all of us," the group stated in its release.
"It is important to remember that this could happen anywhere," the statement continued. "This was the worst mass shooting in U.S. history and the 133rd mass shooting of four or more people in the U.S. in 2016 alone.
"We cannot give in to fear and hate, but must turn to love and support during this time. We cannot allow the threat of violence to silence us."
Vigil organizers are asking supporters to gather on the grass behind the playhouse "as we stand together against this act of senseless violence and hatred and remember the lives lost early Sunday morning."
The North Hunterdon High School Gay Straight Alliance club is planning a vigil on Tuesday from 1-3 p.m. at the flagpole by the Route 31 entrance to the school, said club adviser Lauren Young.
Danielle Mueller contributed to this report.
Sallie Graziano may be reached at sgraziano@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SallieGraziano. Find NJ.com on Facebook.