City to raise hate crime
awareness
By Heather Mangold
City
Editor
Mayor Sonya Margerum announced Tuesday that this
week is Hate Crime Awareness Week.
Members of the community such as Lafayette Mayor
Dave Heath; County Commission president Ruth Shedd; Sen. Ron Alting,
R-22nd; Rep. Sue Scholer, R-26th; and Rep. Sheila Klinker, D-27th were
involved with the creation of the holiday honoring victims of hate crimes.
Margy Deverall, a member of Parents, Family and
Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) came up with the idea for the week.
"I wanted it to bring out more awareness," said
Deverall.
Events that will be held to observe Hate Crime
Awareness Week will include a lecture by Judy Shepard, the mother of
a hate crime victim, at 8 p.m. Her son Matthew was beaten and killed
because of his sexual orientation.
Margerum said that she plans to further discuss
the proclamation at Shepard's lecture.
A candlelight vigil will be held at 7:30 p.m. preceding
Shepard's lecture at 8 p.m. at the St. Thomas Aquinas Center on State
Street. After the lecture, a reception and information fair will be
held in the Union's east lounge.
"Groups that are financially and morally supporting
the event will have tables set out with information," said Deverall.
Deverall said that students could show their support
for Hate Crime Awareness Week by attending the events tonight as well
as the follow up events that will take place Thursday.
Boiler TV will be making a presentation in conjunction
with MTV. They will hold a screening of the documentary "Anatomy of
Hate Crimes: The Matthew Shepard Story."
"This is part of their (MTV's) 'Fight For Your
Rights campaign'," said Deverall.
Following the screening, a discussion about hate
crimes on campuses will be held. A representative from Chicago's Anti-defamation
League and another representative from MTV will attend.
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