October Vigils

This year’s fourth Vigil against Hate Crime is scheduled to take place on Saturday 20th October.

We are currently in the process of making arrangements for the London Vigil, and will announce further details as soon as they become available.

Last year there were more Vigils held around the country than ever before and we are hoping to do even better this year. We want this to be an annual day of hope and rememberance for all victims of hate crime, to contiunue showing our support for those who have had their lives changed by acts of hate.

If your planning a local event – please get in touch.

The first Candle-lit Vigil was organised on the 30th October 2009 in Trafalgar Square after the death of Ian Baynham, who died from the injuries he received when he was homophobically abused and attacked outside South Africa House.

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In the space of two weeks, people from across our communities came together and organised a vigil that was attended by 10,000 people. It was amazing to see so many people standing together to say that hate crime is not acceptable in our communities.

We invite people to take photos, to make videos and post them across social networking sites to help us spread the word and promote the campaign against hate crime as widely as possible. Here are seven videos produced by Rainbow Operations/Pink Punters:

• Video1 - Introduction
• Video2 – Sandy Toskvig, David Watkins, Mark Healey
• Video3 – Richard Barnes, Choirs “Something inside so Strong”
• Video4 – Claire Dimyon, Rev Claire Herbert,
• Video5 - Jenny Baynham, George Richardson & friends of Ian Baynham
• Video6 - Volunteer from Lesbian & Gay Switchboard, Deborah Gold
• Video7 - 2 minute silence, Sue Perkins reading names of those we’ve lost

17-24-30 aims to make this an annual event, to remember Ian and all those who have been attacked or affected by all forms of hate crime. 

Please check out the Candle-lit Vigil against Hate Crime WordPress site for more details.