A candlelight vigil will be held tonight to reclaim Footscray Park from gangs of violent thugs who have been preying on men after dark.
Star Weekly this 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.
‘Reclaim the Park – No To Violence At Footscray Park’ organiser James Wray said the latest reports of violence, following an attack on members of the LGBTIQ community in the heart of Footscray in November, had spurred him to action.
“I want to send a message about violence against this particular portion of the community is not welcome in Footscray, in Victoria or anywhere,” he said.
“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).
Squirt users have written of groups of up to eight men “looking for trouble” and jumping out of the bushes with bars.
Mr Wray, a West Footscray resident, said the current political climate and “state-sanctioned bigotry” is translating into a ramping up of 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 is 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.”
The candlelight vigil will be held at Footscray Park from 8pm Thursday, March 23.
