Organize a Rally or Vigil | Page 4 | Not in Our Town

Organize a Rally or Vigil

62-year-old Ian Baynham, a gay man, was out with friends when he was assaulted by a group yelling homophobic slurs.  Baynham died from his injuries on October 13.  Police have arrested a 19-year-old man and two 17-year-old girls in connection with the killing.  Ian Baynham's death mark the fourth suspected anti-gay murder in London over the past year.  Police officials say that homophobic attacks have increased 14% since April. The candlelight vigil will take place from 8PM to 10PM in Trafalgar Square on October 30th.  There will be a two-minute silence at 9PM. To show your support and learn more about the vigil, visit the Facebook event listing.   Via: TimesOnline and NewsShopper.
Hundreds of people marched through the streets of College Park, Queens, NY to rally against homophobia, hate and violence. The march and rally came in response to the beating of 49-year-old Jack Price, who was brutally attacked by two men outside a Queens convenience store. Police reports state that the men shouted anti-gay slurs at Price while punching and kicking him. Both men have been charged with felony assault as a hate crime.
After two attacks on gay men in the span of two weeks, residents of London, Ontario gathered in Victoria Park to demonstrate their commitment to fighting violence and hate in their community and to show their support for Brandon Wright and Erik Rozenski, two gay men who were targeted in the recent attacks. Rozenski spoke to the crowd: "By coming here today you've already shown those who choose to cause such crimes that you are not afraid. That you will stand up and speak out against them and defend who you are no matter what race, gender or sexual orientation you are," he said.  The Deputy Police Chief, Mayor, and City Councillors were also in attendance at the rally, which was spearheaded by Diversity Training Live, PFLAG London, the Canadian Auto Workers Union, and supported by many local organizations. For more on the rally, see the full story at LondonTopic.Ca.
When the Ku Klux Klan announced they would rally in Kokomo, Indiana, civic leaders decided to respond. To prepare, police studied videotapes of other recent Klan actions and encouraged community members who opposed the KKK to organize their own counter event.  The local newspaper organized a petition for tolerance, and on the day the Klan rallied, hundreds of citizens gathered across town for a Unity rally. 
When members of Fred Phelps' anti-gay group targeted churches and businesses in Bloomington, IL, concerned residents and NIOT leaders organized a counter event and brought umbrellas as a symbolic shield against hate.