Silent March for Victims of GLBT Violence Tonight

Photo by PoPville flickr user Lauren PM

Thanks to all the folks who sent emails about this event. The march will meet in front of IHOP at 7pm tonight.

From the organizer’s Facebook page:

Welcome to the Silent March for Victims of GLBT Violence. We are gathering to bring awareness to an alarming rash of violent attacks upon members of our community.

We are marching in silence to allow our UNITY to be our voice. This march is not intended to be political, but rather one of compassion, and to honor our brothers and sisters who have been attacked. Our hopes are that politicians, activists, the media, and the police will ask themselves why these attacks have gone unresolved and what tools they have at their disposal to address and rectify these unsolved crimes.

Many in the GBLT community are wanting to voice our fear, our outrage, and our anger. This march has not been organized for that purpose. This march has been organized as a commitment to a safer city. We are here to let everyone know that we stand arm in arm, shoulder to shoulder, hand in hand. For those that wish to express their anger vocally, we respectfully ask that you recognize that we will be there to amplify your voices at the place, time and forum of your choosing. We know that you will stand with us as we silently express our own hopes for this march.

In addition we are asking for the participants to place DUCT TAPE over their mouth to show the UNITY of this march. Duct tape will be provided if you choose to participate.

For those attending the Silent March for Victims of GLBT Violence we ask that you gather in front of the IHOP located 3100 14th Street , NW in observance of the gunshot victim who was attacked on March 11th. We will then continue in a silent and orderly fashion, south on Irving Street to Georgia Avenue. We will be stopping for a brief statement recalling the details of the second attack which happened at that location on March 12th , which, as of this date, has gone unsolved. We will continue our march to Florida and make a right turn, continuing up U street to 14th. We will walk down 14th St. and make a right turn on to R st. We will end at Cobalt on 17th and R St.

To those participating in the Silent March for Victims of GLBT Violence , we ask that you wear a solid colored T-shirt of your choice in recognition of the Rainbow flag. If you wish to carry a sign or write on your T-shirt, we ask that you simply put one word such as Sister, Brother, Son, Daughter, Neighbor, Husband, Wife, Boyfriend, Girlfriend , etc. to let everyone know exactly who is being attacked.

Again, thank you to all who wish to march and participate and what has already become an overwhelming response from the GLBT community, the media, and respected authorities. It shows that we are indeed being heard.