UPDATE 5:45pm | Mayor Bob Foster released the following statement moments ago: “Tonight, we stand together to show we consider our diversity a strength, and no matter how rarely they may happen, this city has zero tolerance for such incidents.”
4:15pm | The public can RSVP for the Unity Gathering here via Facebook. Mayor Bob Foster will also be attending according to the Gathering’s Facebook RSVP page.
4:00pm | According to the LATimes, “
Police in Long Beach are investigating three incidents in the last two weeks in which gay men were assaulted in the city’s Broadway Corridor, a neighborhood known for its tight-knit gay and lesbian community.
The suspect in one case has been charged with a hate crime while the others are still under investigation, said police spokesman Rico Fernandez
“We don’t believe any of these three are connected in any way,” Fernandez said. “We just think it’s a coincidence that three incidents happened relatively close to each other.”
Click here to read the LATimes story.
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2:30pm | The recent attacks on three gay men on or near the Broadway corridor has led openly gay Councilmember Robert Garcia and the Gay and Lesbian Center of Long Beach to organize a Unity Gathering Thursday, August 4th at 6:00 PM. Mayor Bob Foster will also be attending according to the Gathering’s Facebook RSVP page. The Unity Gathering will take place outside of Hot Java Coffee House on the corner of Junipero and Broadway.
“Hate crimes have no place in Long Beach, and we are doing everything possible to ensure that the perpetrators of these cowardly crimes are prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” said Garcia. “Now is the time for all Long Beach residents to come together and show our unity, strength and love.”
Some of the victims of the crimes along with their friends and family, as well as local community leaders will be present at the rally.
“Our Police Department and Human Relations Commission are doing everything possible to ensure that the victims get the support they need, and to ensure that our streets are safe for everyone,” Garcia said in a statement.
“Long Beach is one the most diverse cities in the United States . We are comprised of many strong, vibrant, and resilient communities. Hate crimes are intended to strike fear into and divide our communities and separate us from one another. As one community made up of many, we are stronger than the few cowardly individuals working against us. We have the will, the strength, and the power to heal together, to provide support and assistance to our survivors, and to reinforce the belief that hate crimes are not tolerated in our city”, said Ron Sylvester, Chairman of The Long Beach Gay and Lesbian Center.
The Center Long Beach remains at the forefront of providing information, assistance, and support services to survivors of hate crimes in Long Beach . In conjunction with the City of Long Beach, The Center provides a free 24 hour hate crime hotline anyone can call for assistance at (562) 433-8595. Additionally, The Center always welcomes input and inquiries from members of the community. They can be reached during regular business hours at (562) 424-4455.
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