I think perhaps it’s time I avoided the Scene and tried some new, more mature type methods of meeting new people.

Sally :)

CALL TO ACTION! African American LESBIAN RAPED IN RICHMOND CALIFORNIA
http://www.zunainstitute.org

Four men kidnapped and gang-raped a 28 year-old lesbian in Richmond, CA. This is an unspeakable crime and we must send a message that this hate crime can not be tolerated.

Zuna Institute has joined several organizations in support of the peace rally

PEACE RALLY
THE DATE IS SET FOR SUNDAY, JANUARY 11, 2009. THE RALLY WILL BEGIN AT 4PM AT NICHOLL PARK AT 3000 MACDONALD AVENUE IN RICHMOND

**GET THE WORD OUT..FORWARD INFO..COME TO THE MARCH**

HERE’S THE STORY
The four men who allegedly kidnapped and gang-raped a 28-year-old lesbian for almost an hour on December 13, 2008 HAVE BEEN ARRESTED!!!!!!!!!!!

The case is being investigated as a hate crime because of comments the suspects made about the victim’s sexual orientation, according to media reports.

Lieutenant Mark Gagan, public information officer for the Richmond Police Department, declined to tell the Bay Area Reporter what the comments had been.

The reported victim is openly lesbian and had a rainbow sticker on her car, Gagan said.

The December 13 incident started around 9:30 p.m. in the 1500 block of Visalia Avenue in Richmond’s Belding-Woods neighborhood. After getting out of her car, the woman was sexually assaulted and then forced back into her car after the suspects noticed someone approaching, according to police.

She was driven seven blocks to the 1300 block of Burbeck Avenue, where she was repeatedly sexually assaulted near an apartment complex, police reported.
The suspects fled in the woman’s car, leaving her naked. The woman sought help from a nearby resident, who called police, according to media reports.
The woman was taken to a hospital and treated for her injuries, which Gagan told the B.A.R. included a serious injury that resulted from the woman being struck with a blunt object. Her car was recovered the next day in Richmond, police said.

Tina D’Elia, hate violence survivor program director of Community United Against Violence, the San Francisco-based LGBT organization that operates a 24-hour crisis line, said, “The shock of this case I think is impacted by being a public hate crime, a gang rape, and a courageous survivor coming forward. I think that that is both unusual and a sign of real courage.”

PLEASE MAKE DONATIONS TO THE SURVIVOR to help her reestablish her life. She is going to need funds to purchase another car, relocate from her residence, and take time off from work. 100% of the donations will go directly to her.

The Community Violence Solutions and Rape Crisis Center have set up an account for the victim. Please make your donation NOW either by credit card or by check, the information is as follows:

IMPORTANT: You must indicate that you want to dedicate the donations to “Richmond Jane Doe”

Credit Card Donation, please call:
Joanne Douglass at 510-237-0113 at Community Violence Solutions

Donation by check:
Community Violence Solutions
2101 Van Ness St.
San Pablo, Ca 94806
Attn: Mrs. Joanne Douglas
Important: Donors must write “Richmond Jane Doe” on the check in the memo space

If you would like to show your support by sending something other than a Donation(CARDS OR GIFTS) do it via the police department.
Here’s the address:
Richmond Police Department
Attn: Sgt. Brian Dickerson “Richmond’s Jane Doe”
1701 Regatta Blvd.
Richmond, CA 94804

“Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. It’s the only thing that ever has.” –Margaret Mead