Safety Walk and Rally Thursday

Please see the message below:

Dear friends,

I invite you to join members of the LGBT community and the residents of Shaw, Bloomingdale, and Eckington in saying no to violence and hatred on the streets of DC.

On July 22, two men were physically assaulted while exiting their vehicle in the 1900 block of 3rd Street NE. Their assailants shouted homophobic slurs before punching and kicking the victims.

I live just a few blocks from the scene of this hate crime. Amy Loudermilk and I have been putting together this event, in coordination with the Eckington Civic Association President, and local ANC commissioners to maximize participation from the community.

Join us for a rally and safety walk through this neighborhood to make our message clear: "We shall not be moved."

Thursday, August 9

Meet at 7:00 PM at Big Bear Cafe

1700 1st Street NW (Intersection of 1st and R St NW)

Walking to 1900 3rd Street NE (3rd and T Street NE)

We will gather for a short rally outside 1st and R Street NW before the safety walk to the location of the incident. Instead of a moment of silence, we will have a "moment of noise." The march will then return to the starting point. Big Bear Cafe is located about 7 blocks east of the Shaw Metro station.

We will be joined by representatives from Gays and Lesbians Opposing Violence (GLOV), the Gay and Lesbian Liaison Unit of the Metropolitan Police Department, the DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Collective Action for Safe Spaces, the DC Office of LGBT Affairs, SMYAL, and the Critical Incident Team.

No one should have to walk in fear on the streets of DC because of hate. Whenever any community is targeted, we all have a duty to stand together.

Join us.