Nationwide Vigils Planned for Slain Gay Puerto Rican Teen

Vigils are being planned across the nation for this Sunday, November 22 to honor slain teen Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado who was brutally murdered for being gay. Activists are demanding that the alleged perpetrator be charged under the new U.S. federal hate crimes law which includes sexual orientation and gender identity.

Vigils scheduled:

In New York City a vigil will be held at Pier 45 followed by optional mass at 5:00 pm.

In Boston - 6PM, Trinity Church, Copley Plaza [Facebook link]

In Chicago - 4PM, Division and California, procession to Humboldt Park Boat House.]

In Dallas at 6:15 pm on Sunday.

In L.A. - 8PM, Santa Monica and San Vicente [Facebook link]

In Oakland - 3:30PM, MacArthur and Lakeshore/Grand Ave [Facebook link]

In San Francisco - 7PM, Castro and Market [Facebook link]

Vigils are also planned for Atlanta, Durham, New Orleans, and Philadelphia but information on location and times is not yet available.

H/T to Towleroad.

Harvey Milk Vigils Planned Across California Tonight to Honor Slain Hero

Candlelight Vigils are being planned for the following locations tonight between 5-7 PM to honor the anniversary of Harvey Milk's birthday. Please bring peaceful signs with Milk quotes or quotes relating to the movement and candles:

San Francisco:
Steps of City Hall, across from Civic Center Plaza.
Make sure candles are in cups.
Map: http://tinyurl.com/prmcke

Los Angeles:
West Hollywood, Corner of San Vicente and Santa Monica
Map: http://tinyurl.com/pfe5bz

Orange County:
Huntington Beach Pier. Meet at the top.
Map: http://tinyurl.com/oxwzrj

Fresno:
Peace Corner(Shaw and Blackstone)
Map: http://tinyurl.com/ogezhv

San Diego:
Outside of Rich's Night Club, By the Marriage Equality Wall
Map: http://tinyurl.com/olw9p9

Sacramento:
West steps of the state Capitol
Map: http://tinyurl.com/qtz9oe

Rallies/Vigils for Marriage Equality in Vermont

Please attend a vigil in support of equal civil rights and the marriage equality bill. This will show strong support for equal marriage across Vermont, and to the nation at large. It is crucial to act now as the senate passed equal marriage, and the house is set to vote with the Governor threatening to veto.

Rally at State Capital
Friday March 27th

Bennington
Saturday, March 28
1-3 PM
Unitarian Universalist Church
108 School St

Burlington
Sunday, March 29
4-5 PM
Unitarian Universalist Church of Burlington
152 Pearl Street

Rutland
Sunday, March 29
4-5 PM
Unitarian Universalist Church of Rutland
117 West Street, Rutland

Brattleboro
Sunday, March 29
4-5 PM
Wells Fountain

Middlebury
Sunday, March 29
4-5 PM
Town Green

White River Junction
Sunday, March 29
4-5 PM
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
749 Hartford Avenue (Rt 5)

Montpelier
Sunday, March 29
4-5 PM
City Hall