London hate crime vigil to be held tomorrow
A vigil will be held in London’s Trafalgar Square tomorrow to remember victims of hate crime.
Last year, 10,000 people joined the candle-lit event two weeks after gay man Ian Baynham died in hospital following an attack in the square.
This year’s vigil will begin at 7pm tomorrow and a two-minute silence will be held at 8pm.
Speakers will include Stuart Milk, the nephew of murdered gay rights campaigner Harvey Milk, Stephen Brookes MBE, from the Disability Hate Crime network, and deputy Mayor of London Richard Barnes.
Those who cannot attend are being encouraged to remember hate crime victims at home.
Last week, organiser Mark Healey told PinkNews.co.uk that the theme of the vigil would be uniting communities against hate crime.
He said: “The main thing is that the vigil is about remembrance – remembering all those we’ve lost and having hope. There’s so much good work by groups such as Galop and Kairos that needs publicising.
“As Harvey Milk said, ‘You’ve got to give them hope’. That’s what this is all about – reaching out to isolated people, showing them that they’re not alone and breaking down barriers.”
Mr Healey hopes to hold the event every year and is urging gay businesses and individuals to donate towards the costs.
Similar events are being held in Brighton, Norwich and the Canadian city of Vancouver.
