The candles held by attendees of the Stand Against the Violence Vigil were a visible sign of attendees’ support and solidarity, as University community members reflected about the hate crime that occurred on Grounds earlier this month.
Around 3 a.m. April 4, five Caucasian males physically and verbally assaulted a University student and his guest based on their perceived sexual orientation, Dean of Student Allen Groves stated in an e-mail April 10 describing the incident. When the student tried to call 911, the attackers broke his phone. The victims were able to get away and were treated for minor injuries at the University Hospital, but law enforcement officials have not made any arrests since the incident.
In a show of community support, leaders of the Lesbian Gay Bi-Sexual and Transgender, Queer and Allied Activist groups and others organized the vigil last night to bring the University community together and take a stand against bias-motivated violence.
“I didn’t want to see you tonight,” said first year College student Seth Kaye to the audience, regretting that a Vigil had to take place for an incident that never should have happened in the first place.
“Empower yourselves and others ... so there will be no need to have events like this tonight,” he added.
University Police Lt. Melissa Fielding , who was asked to discuss safety tips at the Vigil to prevent future incidents like the one that occurred April 4, noted that the attack earlier this month was in no way the victims’ fault.
“Anybody in our community should be allowed to walk down a sidewalk without fear of being attacked,” Fielding said.
She also urged anyone with information about the incident to call a confidential tip line.
Groves, meanwhile, described the incident as “cowardly and bred out of the fear of difference.” He said he believes this case was especially significant because “the victim wasn’t targeted for any reason other than because of who he was.”
First-year College student Samantha Dodbele came to the vigil because the attack “didn’t sit well” with her.
Dodbele said she was glad that the event had a variety of groups involved in the showing of support. She noted in particular the painted rainbow “Z” on the steps of Garrett Hall overlooking the Amphitheater, and the letter from the Seven Society that speakers at the event read condemning the attack.
“It makes [the issue] more wide reaching,” Dodbele said.
In addition to talking about the attack, speakers brought up ways for community members to stop even subtle acts of homophobia in their everyday lives, encouraging members to stop using the word “gay” in a derogatory sense.
Kay added that those who still harbor homophobic views should never act on these views.
“If for some reason you do have some bias against a minority, it should never manifest in violence,” he said.
Groves echoed this sentiment, noting that the University community must strive to address problems before they become violent incidents.
“The University of Virginia is not a place for hatred, bigotry or violence bred from intolerance,” said Groves. “We will continue to work together to create a safe and supportive community for all students, faculty and staff ... and we will not settle for anything less.”
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