IN MEMORIAM - Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado & Jason Mattison Jr. (LA)
Los Angeles Vigil for Steven and Jason - two gay teenagers killed this week
Sunday, November 22, 2009
8:00pm - 9:30pm
Location: Corner of Santa Monica and San Vicente in West Hollywood
"Over the weekend the brutalized body of gay teen George Steven Lopez Mercado was found by the side of a road in Puerto Rico. The police investigator suggested that he deserved what he got because of the "type of lifestyle" he was leading.
According to an iReport by Chrisopher Pagan: "On November 14 the body of a gay 19 year old was found a few miles away from the town in which he was residing in called Caguas. He was a very well known person in the gay community of Puerto Rico, and very loved. He was found on the site of an isolated road in the city of Cayey, he was partially burned, decapitated, and dismembered, both arms, both legs, and the torso. This has caused a huge reaction from the gay community here, but its a difficult situation. Never in the history of Puerto Rico has a murder been classified as a hate crime. Even though we have to follow federal mandates and laws, many of the laws in which are passed in the USA such as Obama’s new bill, do not always directly get practiced in Puerto Rico. The police agent that is handling this case said on a public televised statement that 'people who lead this type of lifestyle need to be aware that this will happen'. As If the boy murdered Jorge Steven Lopez was asking to get killed..."
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Given the recent escalation in anti-LGBT related hate crimes, it is critical that our movement build a sense of urgency around ending this disgusting violence.
The ONLY reason why people think they can get away with slaying LGBT people is because they think society won't punish them.
This rally is happening simultaneously with the one in NYC:
-UPDATE-
We received the following message from Jorge Steven's mother:
"When my son told me he was gay, I told him, 'Now, I love you more.' I want to tell the world that hatred is not born with human beings, it is a seed that is planted by adults and is fostered creating a climate of intolerance and violence. We must change our ways and understand that anyone could have been my son. And I want everybody to know that Jorge Steven was a very much loved son."
-- Miriam
I hope you can make the vigil and tell all of your friends and family about it. It is so important that we remember and value the lives of Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado and Jason Mattison Jr.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=178097968401
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