Feb 28, 2008 11:00 pm US/Eastern
Ft. Lauderdale Community Gather To Fight Hate
FORT LAUDERDALE (CBS4) ―
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Melbourne Brunner spoke out at Thursday night's town hall meeting, urging everyone to stand up against hate crimes.
CBS
The gay and lesbian community sees the murder of Simmie Williams and the beating of Melbourne Brunner as evidence of a growing intolerance. And they want the South Florida community to stand up with them and demand change.
There were three things in abundance in the room where concerned citizens met for Thursday night's town hall meeting: Tears, Applause, and Outrage.
"Never again. Enough is enough. Cause we had enough," said one speaker.
The gathering honored Denise King. She is the mother of 17-year-old Simmie Williams. Williams was shot and killed on a Ft. Lauderdale street corner last week. That corner was the scene of the vigil held Thursday.
"Our hearts go out to you because Simmie's life was cut down for no good reason whatsoever."
Simmie went by the name "Beyonce" and was dressed as a woman when he was killed. His death, and the beating of Melbourne Brunner, leaves the gay and lesbian community shouting for change.
"My prayers and sorrows go out to Simmie's family," said Brunner.
Brunner and his partner were having breakfast at the Floridian Restaurant last weekend when a man started harassing them.
"He said, 'you know what I do to faggots? I break their necks.' Then he twisted his head around with his hands," said Brunner.
Both Brunner and his partner left the Restaurant, but the man followed and attacked them.
"He hit me in the face and I hit the sidewalk," said Brunner.
Ft. Lauderdale police are trying to find Brunner's attacker, as well as the person responsible for Williams's death. Like everyone in the room, Melbourne Brunner shared his outrage and grief with Denise King, but he says unlike Simmie, he is alive to be a voice for tolerance and equality.
"I will not be a victim," said Brunner. "I will not stop living the way I live. I will not let this change my life."
The reward for the capture of Simmie Williams's killer or killers is now up to $15,000. He will be laid to rest this weekend. If you know who killed Simmie Williams, or who beat Melbourne Brunner call Crimestoppers at 954-493-TIPS. You could be eligible for a reward.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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