Demand justice over the stabbing & shooting of Dwayne Jones
Jamaican authorities need to protect LGBTs against hate crime
London, UK – 27 August 2013
16 year old Dwayne Jones was brutally murdered in Jamaica. He was dressed as a woman. His sexuality and gender identity are unconfirmed. His assailants abused him with homophobic insults. READ: http://bit.ly/19BHB0L
Protest Wed 28 August, 5 – 7pm, Jamaican High Commission (near the Royal Albert Hall), 1-2 Prince Consort Road, London SW7 2BZ.
Nearest tube South Kensington.
You are invited. INFO: http://on.fb.me/1aypj3j
Organised by Out & Proud African LGBTI and Justice for Dwayne Jones, with the support of the Peter Tatchell Foundation.
Relentlessly teased at school, at 14 Dwayne was kicked out of home by a father who joined in with neighbours homophobic jeers as Dwayne left. A few weeks ago, aged 16, Dwayne was beaten, stabbed, shot and deliberately run over by a car on July 22 as he tried escape after being attacked at a party where Dwayne had dressed in women’s clothing. According to reports, someone at the party identified Dwayne as ‘male’ then a mob chased and murdered him. Police have yet to make a single arrest.
READ MORE: http://bit.ly/19BHB0L
“This protest and vigil demands justice for Dwayne. Jamaican authorities need to send an unequivocal message that there will be zero tolerance for violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. Additionally, the police should thoroughly investigate Dwayne’s murder and witnesses should be offered anonymity and police protection.
“Like Senator Golding, Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller and other government officials and religious leaders should publicly condemn the killing. They should also work to end the criminalisation of homosexuality and create an environment that protects the rights of all Jamaicans.
“We also call on the Commonwealth to not tolerate homophobia in Jamaica and ask the Jamaican government to stop the persecution LGBT people,” said Edwin Sesange, Co-founder and Director, Out & Proud African LGBTI.
“We encourage people to join Wednesday’s protest to remember Dwayne, to press the Jamaican government for action on hate crime and to show solidarity with LGBT Jamaicans,” said Susheila Juggapah, Campaign and Press Officer for the Peter Tatchell Foundation.
The island’s main LGBT rights group, the Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals & Gays, say at least two gay men were killed for their sexual orientation last year, and at least 36 were victims of mob violence.
If you can’t make the protest, sign the petition demanding justice for Dwayne:http://chn.ge/1dLK9Mj
Dwayne deserves justice. Join us and demand justice so LGBT teens can live without fear and violence.