A coalition of Chicago Latino LGBT organizations and committees joined more than 20 cities across the U.S. to organize a candle light vigil for Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado, a 19-year-old who was brutally murdered in Puerto Rico Nov. 13. Chicago's rally was Sunday, Nov. 23 in Humboldt Park, a heavily Latino area of the city.
The Chicago vigil was organized by Boricua Pride, Orgullo en Accion, ALMA ( Association of Latino Men for Action ) and Amigas Latinas, who were joined by many co-sponsoring groups. The idea to hold a procession through the predominantly Puerto-Rican neighborhood of Humboldt Park was to recognize Mercado's heritage. Programs were handed out that had a quote from a recent statement made by his mother Miriam Mercado that read "When my son told me he was gay, I told him, 'Now, I love you more.'"
Although the majority of the LGBT organizations who organized the event were Latino, other organizations like Transformative Justice Law Project and Gender Just also participated.
The procession started at the intersection of California and Division, toward Humboldt Drive and ended at the Boat House. More than 300 people solemnly walked, some holding lit candles, other holding signs with the image of Mercado that has now become a symbol of the multiple issues that surround his murder.
At the Boat House a picture showing Mercado, with candles in front, became the focal point for the crowd. Dr. Pedro J. Windsor-Garcia started the program with a moment of silence by saying, "Let's draw strength from one another, in a united voice saying 'Enough!' God loves all of us being gay or straight."
A number of politicians serving the Humboldt Park area and other parts of Chicago briefly spoke out against hate crimes of all kinds, including State Rep. Cynthia Soto, State Rep. Maria, "Toni" Berrios, State Sen. Iris Martinez, State Sen. Willie Delgado, State Rep. Greg Harris, Ald. Manny Flores, Ald. Rey Colon and Ald. Roberto Maldonado.
The Mercado family will be holding a public vigil Nov. 25 in Puerto Rico.
To read Blair Mishleau's report on the vigil, visit www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php.
