A candlelight vigil has been held to reclaim Footscray Park from gangs of violent thugs who have been preying on men after dark.
Star Weekly last week reported that police are stepping up patrols in Footscray Park in response to a spate of homophobic attacks, in which victims report being abused or lured and set upon by groups of men.
West Footscray resident James Wray, who organised the ‘Reclaim the Park’ candlelight vigil, said violence is not welcome in Footscray or anywhere.
“Regardless of what people are doing, no-one deserves to be the victim of violence, to be lured by people whose aim is to bash a stranger out of what whatever hate or prejudice they harbour.”
Warnings about the attacks have been shared on gay hook-up websites such as Squirt and a number of incidents have been reported to the Victorian AIDS Council (VAC).
About 30 people took part in Thursday night’s vigil, walking with candles from the main gate down into the park.
Mr Wray spoke of being a victim of a homophobic assault and the need to stand together to keep bigotry at bay.
Footscray police inspector Adrian Healy addressed the vigil, urging anyone with any information about attacks to come forward.
Mr Wray said the current political climate and “state-sanctioned bigotry” is leading to an increase in verbal and physical attacks on the LGBTIQ community.
“What they are seeing and hearing means people are feeling entitled to take out their anger and hatred onto unsuspecting victims.”
But Mr Wray said the vigil was a way to let the LGBTIQ community know they are welcome in Footscray despite the behaviour of a minority.
“Footscray is a growing area and its diversity is increasing, lots of people who do identify as LGBTIQ are coming into the area,” he said.
“These attacks are not what Footscray is about, we want to say Footscray is a safe space for you.”
Report suspicious incidents to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or VAC on 9865 6700.
