Vigil to honor and remember Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado, this Sunday, 3:30 PM- 7 PM
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Time: 3:30pm - 7:00pm
Location:
The intersection of MacArthur and Lakshore/Grand Ave. Meet underneath the Archway of the Lake Merritt Trail. Right across from the small park..or patch of grass, whatever you want to call it.
On November 13th, 2009, 19-year old Gay Youth Jorge Lopez Mercado was found murdered by the side of the road in Cayey, Puerto Rico. Lopez Mercado's body had been burnt and decapitated and partially dismembered. One of the prosecutors in the case later said to Univision that, “This type of person, when he does things like this and go out on the street knows that this can happen to him.”
Members of the Bay Area community have organized a Vigil to take place in his memory and honor this Sunday, November 22nd. We are angry about the ways queer and trans lives, particularly of color, continue to be vulnerable to being ended by brutal acts of violence. We remember and grieve our loved ones and community members who we've lost to hate violence.
In addition to silent prayers, there will be a space for people to say a few words, share their own experiences and express frustrations. We will also be honoring other brothers and sisters who have lost their lives to violence, ignorance and hate. On Sunday we come together to mourn as a community, let our voices be heard and express to the world that this type of violence will not be tolerated.
At the Vigil there will be updates on other steps people are taking to further connect our struggles nationwide and to contact the family and friends of in order to see how our community can aid their healing process. Please come if you can and spread the word to your loved ones, friends, neighbors, etc. Bring candles and something to keep warm.
If you do not live in Oakland, and reside somewhere that has yet to set up a vigil, make your presence known!
News links about Jorge Lopez Mercado:
http://www.towleroad.com/2009/11/killer-of-puerto-rican-teen-says-gay-panic-made-him-murder.html
http://www.pamshouseblend.com/diary/14114/arrest-made-early-this-morning-in-puerto-rico-gay-teen-jorge-steven-lopez-mercado-murder-case
News links about Jason Mattison:
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-city/bal-md.ci.mattison18nov18,0,4221135.story
http://nosufferingfools.lefora.com/2009/11/18/jason-mattison-15-gay-teen-boy-raped-and-murdered-/page1/
Time: 3:30pm - 7:00pm
Location:
The intersection of MacArthur and Lakshore/Grand Ave. Meet underneath the Archway of the Lake Merritt Trail. Right across from the small park..or patch of grass, whatever you want to call it.
On November 13th, 2009, 19-year old Gay Youth Jorge Lopez Mercado was found murdered by the side of the road in Cayey, Puerto Rico. Lopez Mercado's body had been burnt and decapitated and partially dismembered. One of the prosecutors in the case later said to Univision that, “This type of person, when he does things like this and go out on the street knows that this can happen to him.”
Members of the Bay Area community have organized a Vigil to take place in his memory and honor this Sunday, November 22nd. We are angry about the ways queer and trans lives, particularly of color, continue to be vulnerable to being ended by brutal acts of violence. We remember and grieve our loved ones and community members who we've lost to hate violence.
In addition to silent prayers, there will be a space for people to say a few words, share their own experiences and express frustrations. We will also be honoring other brothers and sisters who have lost their lives to violence, ignorance and hate. On Sunday we come together to mourn as a community, let our voices be heard and express to the world that this type of violence will not be tolerated.
At the Vigil there will be updates on other steps people are taking to further connect our struggles nationwide and to contact the family and friends of in order to see how our community can aid their healing process. Please come if you can and spread the word to your loved ones, friends, neighbors, etc. Bring candles and something to keep warm.
If you do not live in Oakland, and reside somewhere that has yet to set up a vigil, make your presence known!
News links about Jorge Lopez Mercado:
http://www.towleroad.com/2009/11/killer-of-puerto-rican-teen-says-gay-panic-made-him-murder.html
http://www.pamshouseblend.com/diary/14114/arrest-made-early-this-morning-in-puerto-rico-gay-teen-jorge-steven-lopez-mercado-murder-case
News links about Jason Mattison:
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-city/bal-md.ci.mattison18nov18,0,4221135.story
http://nosufferingfools.lefora.com/2009/11/18/jason-mattison-15-gay-teen-boy-raped-and-murdered-/page1/