IOWA: Student Dies After Gay Bashing

[WillParkinson]

A 19 year-old college student was beaten death to in Michele Bachmann's hometown of Waterloo, Iowa this weekend. Witnesses say Marcellus Richard Andrew's attackers shouted anti-gay slurs while kicking him in the head.

Officers and paramedics said they found Andrews unconscious with severe head injuries in the early morning hours Friday. Andrews, who was slated to start studying interior design at Hawkeye Community College, spent part of Thursday practicing with members of the Crusaders, a drill team sponsored by Union Missionary Baptist Church. He led the step team for the group, which was days away from competing in March Against Darkness. Night found him at Nakita Wright's home on Cottage Street. She said the problems started at about 12:45 a.m. Friday when she and Tudia Simpson, her cousin, went for a walk down the street. Andrews opted to stay behind, waiting on the enclosed porch, she said. The two women hadn't made it as far as Adams Street a block away when they heard yelling back at the house. They ran back and found a truck stopped in the street, and the occupants were taunting Andrews, calling him "faggot" and "Mercedes," a feminization of his first name, Simpson said.
The police have made no arrests, despite the fact that the attackers knew Andrews' name.

http://joemygod.blogspot.com/2011/08/iowa-student-dies-after-gay-bashing.html

[Firebrand Gary]

1. WTF, there are no words for this.

[bluestateguy]

2. When conservative politicians spew hateful rhetoric, this is a common consequence

When opinion leaders in positions of authority (politicians, pastors and activists) spew hateful rhetoric about gays, most of us will just brush it off as somebody's hateful rants. But it only takes one or a few people to cause a tragedy. Indeed, people who are fragile or not so bright (or both) will take their cues from these influential people and become convinced that violence against gay people is either OK or not very serious. Or that it will go unpunished or that the life of a gay person is just not that valuable.

[exboyfil]

5. I am shocked and saddened by this

This happened in our sister town, and I am shocked. These marchers appear every year in our town's festival parade, and I have always enjoyed watching them perform. They are very good.

I was discussing this with my daughter. The victim was sitting on a porch when these hoodlums came up and started with the bashing. The victim's friends came back, and one of them threw the first punch according to the story in the paper. I told my daughter that, when someone is verbally insulting you, to retreat inside your home and call the police. If nothing more it is disturbing the peace. No words warrant a physical altercation.

Because his injuries and death resulted from a brawl, I am not sure how clear the charges will be. The fact that someone kicked him in the head at the end should be sufficient to do something.

Don't think that the Waterloo police/DA will avoid prosecuting to the fullest extent of the law. The problem is that first punch changes alot. The friend admits to throwing it.

[xchrom]

3. Fuck! Nt

[Initech]

4. When crap like this hapens it really makes me question this country sometimes.

[The Doctor.]

6. I wish there was a way

To eradicate all of the fear, hate, and ignorance in this nation. Sadly, we're headed in the opposite direction with the schools losing funds and the fundies gaining confidence in spreading their hateful messages.

This is why I hope more GLBT folks start carrying guns. I really wouldn't be too upset over any of these hateful, murderous bastards getting taken out of the picture.

[closeupready]

9. Agreed.

nt

[seeviewonder]

7. Great...

This happens to be the state I'm moving to next month.

[closeupready]

8. Would this have happened if he'd been armed?

nt

[The Doctor.]

10. No way to know for sure, but

I'd lay pretty heavy odds he could have survived if he pulled a gun on them.

It happens 100s or 1000s of times a day in the US.

[William769]

11. I guess we will never know.

I have a CWP & I'm still here writing.

I have been attacked twice. Once in Miami & once in Orlando. Although I drew my weapon both times, I didn't have to discharge it either time.

I hope the animals are caught & prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

[closeupready]

12. Wow, that's interesting. In your judgment, did drawing it make them back off, or

have the effect of putting a stop to the attack?

I mean, obviously, it did, but I'd like to hear more about your thoughts as to how drawing your weapon helped you. Thanks.

[William769]

13. In Miami they were armed with knives (If I remember correctly 7 or 8 assailants)

There were 3 of us. In Orlando it was my life partner & myself against 5 assailants (no weapons could be seen on the assailants).

In both circumstances, once I drew my weapon I took control of the situation & conversation. I gave them an out option to leave the scene unharmed (both times was late at night going from a gay establishment to a parking lot). Once I felt safe, I contacted police & filed police report.

In my judgement both times would have not ended well for me & my friends & life partner in either situation.

[Zorra]

14. How sad and horrible. Again.

So much hate and violence for no sane reason whatsoever.
:cry:
Pride and solidarity.