Rally Draws a Crowd Supporting Hate-Free City

Gay and straight singles and families, elected officials and the media flocked to a Long Beach Unity Rally Thursday night meant to show support for tolerance and stand down recent hate crimes.

"Who's City? Our city!" the crowd chanted. 

It was an event swiftly put together after news broke of the attacks. But well more than 100 people arrived at the 6 p.m. commuter-dinner hour--perhaps not surprising in a city with the second-largest gay population in the Los Angeles metropolitan area (It's a close second to West Hollywood, according to the 2000 American Community Survey.)

The three unrelated attacks on five gay men since late July--each confronted on the street in neighborhoods known for gay patrons and shopkeeps--prompted the event. The victims survived but the seemingly random attacks rocked gay and straight residents of a city of nearly half a million people.

“We are here to raise awareness, condemn these hate crimes, and reinforce that these acts have no place in Long Beach,” Ron Sylvester, chairman of the Gay and Lesbian Center of Greater Long Beach (GLCGLB), told the crowd.

“This isn’t a LGBT issue,” Lowenthal exclaimed, “it’s a human issue.”

Long Beach police say they believe the assaults over the past 10 days are unrelated and detectives already arrested one suspect. They described the following violence:

-July 24, 2011 The first assault was allegedly carried out by Jorge Ibarrias, who approached a group of males, asking one if he
was gay, and subsequently punching the victim in the face after he
answered that he was gay.  Ibarrias is now being charged with felony
battery with a hate crime enhancement.

-July 27, 2011 The second incident occurred after a gay male approached
another man on the sidewalk.  The suspect assaulted the victim and
called the victim a derogatory insult after the victim attempted to
converse with the suspect.  The suspect fled from the location and the
case is still being investigated.

-July 31, 2011 The final assault involved a scuffle between a group of
males and two men who called to the group using hate slurs.  The
scuffle ended shortly with the victims walking home and the suspects
leaving.  The suspects assaulted the victims once more but this time,
with the help of more people.

City Councilman Robert Garcia partnered with the GLCGLB to host the rally at the park across the street from Hot Java Coffeehouse. Garcia is one of two openly gay Long Beach Council members. The rally was symbolic, aimed at stirring outrage and public assurance that the city is intolerant of intolerance.

The rally coincidentally took place on the one-year anniversary of Judge Walker’s ruling that Prop 8 is unconstitutional, further showcasing the milestones made thus far in the gay community's fight for equality.

Attendees, passionately clapping, snapping pictures, and carrying signs, were often visibly moved by speakers and by the support that the assembled group showed for the gay community. 

“These city officials are our extended family,” Garcia reminded the crowd.  “Every time we’ve asked the Mayor to be with us on an issue like marriage equality, etc, he’s been with us,” Garcia said.

Eric Avila, one of the victims, was praised for his courage in chasing after the suspect who the police caught moments after.

“Thanks to his courage and strength, we owe him a lot,” Garcia said.

Avila took the podium to thank the crowd for their support and to commend LBPD’s service to the community.

Congresswoman Janice Hahn stood at the podium to show her solidarity. 

“I am with you in what you believe, in your pain, and in your hope that we can put these hate crimes to rest,” she said.

Alegria Cucina Latina is hosting a fundraiser tomorrow from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. for Martin Sanchez, one of the victims whose significant injuries have made his medical expenses too costly for him and his family.  For more information on the fundraiser, contact the restaurant at: (562) 436-3388.