Hop over to Joe.My.God for coverage of a rally in College Point, Queens, NY, where 300 people marched in support of Jack Price, who was brutally beaten in the area; he suffered a broken jaw, bruised ribs, a collapsed lung and multiple other injuries. These are photos he said to spread around. Background via Edge NY's Michael K. Lavers:
Daniel Aleman, 26, and Daniel Rodriguez,Jr., 21, allegedly beat Jack Price, 49, outside an all-night deli on the corner of College Point Avenue and 18th Avenue around 3 a.m. on Oct. 9. Price's sister-in-law, Joanne Guarneri, marched arm-and-arm with City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Congressman Anthony Weiner, City Comptroller William Thompson, Jr., Queens Borough President Helen Marshall and other politicians, activists and local residents down College Point Avenue. She also spoke at a rally at a local park.
"They [Aleman and Rodriguez] nearly beat my brother-in-law to death for $10 and a pack of cigarettes," Guarneri said. "We have to stop violence in College Point. We have to take back our streets."
Amanda Guarneri echoed her mother's anger before she and other members of her family marched. They [Aleman and Rodriguez] are a disgrace," the 15-year-old told EDGE. "They should be locked up forever. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy."
What's disgusting is that supporters for Aleman and Rodriguez shguez showed up at this rally. Given that this attack against Price is only one of a series of gay bashings that have been reported in Queens, people should remember that Blue states where laws on bias crimes may be strong doesn't mean the hate goes away. Joe:
After a 15-minute march down College Point Boulevard to the sullen or unknowing stares of locals, we were shocked to find a group of 20 or so counter-protesters, PRO gay bashers, already in a pen perilously close to the park where the rally was to take place. Leading the pro-bashers was Mr. Leviticus Tattoo Douchbag himself. He and his co-thugs wore stickers in support of the jailed cowards as they shouted "Free Daniel Rodriquez!" and "No hate crime!" Among their signs was "Daniel doesn't hate gays!" Riiiight. Fortunately, there was a huge NYPD presence on hand and the two groups were not permitted to get closer than shouting distance.
Surf over to Joe's for more, including reactions from locals.
Wow, I didn't think they would really try to lodge the claim that there's a religious denomination gene that ensures your faith is predetermined when you shoot out of the womb, but when you're an anti-gay Republican like House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) , it's ok to send your spokesperson out there to look like a complete jackass.
Questioned about why the House's top Republican opposes a hate crimes bill penalizing violence against gays, his spokesman said he "supports existing federal protections (based on race, religion, gender, etc) based on immutable characteristics," just not protections for things like being gay -- which conservatives occasionally claim is a choice.
When CBSNews.com asked Boehner's office to comment, it's quite clear that the Ohio Congressman and his mouthpiece are completely ignorant about the law that is currently in place, since gender is not included. Boehner spokesman Kevin Smith was ridiculed for this religion-is-in-the-DNA logic for opposing adding sexual orientation and gender identity into the law.
Northeastern University professor Jack Levin, who co-authored the first book written about about hate crimes, told Hotsheet that "to use immutability as a criterion doesn't make any sense at all."
"Especially if he supports the current stand," Levin continued. "Religion is clearly not ascribed. It's not built into the organism. People can change it at any time and people do."
After meeting with LGBT activists in San Diego, Buju Banton shook hands with them and proceeded to say he's not only not down with the gays, he's ready to rumble.
"This is a fight, and as I said in one of my songs 'there is no end to the war between me and faggot' and it's clear. The same night after I met with them (gay associates), they pepper-sprayed the concert. So what are you trying to tell me? I owe dem nothing, they don't owe I nothing."
So apparently one bad fags = all fags are bad and all should die. Nice. Karen Ocamb at LGBT POV has more, including an email from LA Gay & Lesbian Center CEO Lorri Jean urging San Francisco Supervisor Bevan Dufty making it clear that Banton not only made no concessions at the meeting and that the boycott should continue:
Unfortunately, your meeting and the publicity around it is being used as a justification by clubs and promoters to now reverse their former stands and re-book Banton. This is turning into an unmitigated disaster and unless you take firm and unequivocal action immediately I fear that the damage done may become irreparable.
Not only has the San Francisco meeting exacerbated matters in L.A. and San Diego but we're starting to hear from colleagues around the country who have been working on Banton matters for a very long time that the same thing is happening there. Clubs are re-booking him and using the meeting that he had with you as the reason why it is now permissible. In fact, perhaps you don't know, but that Petrelis photo and his blog post are being promoted on a webpage promoting Buju's tour and selling tickets to his concerts!!!!
In terms of confirming Banton's commitment to anti-gay hate and that he's still condemning gays; here's a video from last month where he says "There is no end to the war between me and faggots!":
COMMUNITY VIGIL FOR COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM
VIGILIA COMUNITARIA PARA UNA REFORMA COMPRESIVA DE LAS LEYES DE INMIGRACIÃ"N ION REFORM
VIGILIA COMUNITARIA PARA UNA REFORMA COMPRESIVA DE LAS LEYES DE INMIGRACIÃ"N
Friday, October 23, 2009
viernes 23 octubre de 2009
7:30 to 8:30 pm. St. Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church
1704 NE 43rd Ave., Portland
This bilingual community service will include songs, prayers, stories, and Scripture reflections, followed by a candlelight procession to the Hollywood MAX station. Este servicio comunitario bilingüe incluirá cantos, oraciones, comentarios y reflexiones BÃblicas. Después iremos en procesion para la Estación de MAX para una vigilia con velas. For more information please contact:Deacon Marla McGarry-Lawrence
St. Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church
1704 NE 43rd Ave.
Portland, OR 97213-1402
503-284-7141 ext. 314 CAUSA (Oregon's Immigrant Rights Coalition), the largest Latin@ civil and human rights and advocacy organization in the Pacific Northwest
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