Puerto Rico Says Presente for Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado
10:43 am By Maegan la Mamita Mala · GLBT| Justice| Puerto Rico
27 Nov 2009The day after Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado was laid to rest, Puerto Ricans took to the streets in his memory and in search of justice. Also, the Puerto Rican Department of Justice agreed to investigate the brutal murder of Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado as a hate crime, giving prosecutors and judges the ability to seek more severe punishment. More on that in a separate post later. Pero,having worked with families of those killed in hate crimes, it’s important for me to see that the family and the community that the person came from be centered in the struggles that follow. Here is Jorge Steven’s mother, who has released numerous courageous statements following her son’s death, his father, and his young brother.
Also presente at the vigil and rally for Jorge Steven was Rene aka Residente from Calle 13 and former Miss Universe, Denise Quiñones.
Who wasn’t presente? Puerto Rican government officials.
Via / Blabbeando
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8 Responses to Puerto Rico Says Presente for Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado
Puerto Rico Says Presente for Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado | VivirLatino | Breaking News 24/7
November 27th, 2009 at 5:31 pm
[...] 2 Worlds, immigration news : blog noted in a post on the anniversary … View original here: Puerto Rico Says Presente for Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado | VivirLatino Share and [...]
J. P. Minsinger
November 27th, 2009 at 7:17 pm
A question for Eduardo Torres: Is a real “macho” another name for a real “murderer”?
You make it sound like a real macho’s normal reaction is to kill gay people or cross dressers after having sex with them. I denote a inference of blaming the victim in your words about wearing a dress, a wig, and working a pick-up point. Or, are your comments just subtle homophobia raising it’s ugly head.
I would not be too sure that this monster was fooled into a sexual act. This guy had been around the streets many years longer than Steven Lopez, and was plenty street wise if he “worked” the same pick-up point. How do you spell “buggarone”?
The extremely high number of drug related murders on the island is a disgrace, criminal, and too much the norm. Why do you think the Commonwealth & local police allow these drug puntos & drug lords to operate openly? Just ask anyone on the street in Santurce where to go to buy illegal drugs, and they can tell without hestitation. The collectura has been operating for years with police approval. You can always go to Parada 15, or Llorens, or Avenida Condado entre Ponce de Leon y Fernandez Juncos. The police know where the drugs are being sold, and they do nothing unless forced to by a public outcry or to make a show around election time. Want to bet that there is bribery involved too? Who tells the police to keep their hands off these killers?
Maegan La Mala
November 28th, 2009 at 8:54 am
I deleted the hateful comment because I will not allow this site to be used to disrespect the dead. Pero what I will say and what I am writing a post on is how yes, Jorge Steven’s murder is part of a larger pattern of violent crimes in Puerto Rico, including domestic violence. Claro, the murder of Jorge Steven has very specific homophobic and transphobic roots and that needs to be acknowledged pero I don’t think that means bringing in a colonial power (the U.S. Feds) to deal with it nor do I think that hate crimes statutes that are part of a wider prison industrial complex that criminalizes people of color disproportionately is the answer either. It’s complicated
Rod Goins
November 28th, 2009 at 11:10 pm
I am confused about the “colonial power” comment. PR seems to have a conflicting attitude, loving the cash while hating the master. I am all for PR independence, if they wish it. If so, I wish you the best. But you cannot have it both ways, as you seem to wish…
Rod Goins
November 28th, 2009 at 11:12 pm
Previous comment notwithstanding, if you are part of the US, as is the case with Jorge’s death, then the feds must step in under new federal requirements regarding hate crimes, that I fought for as an American, and wish to export to the world in areas like the US where gays are discriminated against….and obvioudly killed for who they are…
Maegan La Mala
November 29th, 2009 at 10:00 am
Rod,
The only power that seems to not realize that Puerto Rico is a colony is the United States. The cycle of dependence, if you accept that analysis, is key to maintaining Puerto Rico as a colony. Decolonization must be a process and a fair one.
There is a hate crimes statute in Puerto Rico that can and it looks like will be used.
Hate Crimes in Context | VivirLatino
December 7th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
[...] first thought about this in the context of the outrage that followed the death of Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado. In the days that followed his murder, I read with concern some debates on websites, mostly coming [...]
Ricky Martin Issues Statement Against Homophobia | VivirLatino
December 20th, 2009 at 10:19 pm
[...] in peace, there is simply no room for complacency. The murders of James Byrd, Matthew Shepard, Jorge Steven Lopez, Marcelo Lucero, Luis Ramirez and countless others who were victims of violent “hate [...]