Source: KESQ TV
Palm Springs, Calif. -- A Coachella Valley high school is taking a stand against violence, hate, and intolerance.
People banded together Wednesday night in a vigil to remember a Lawrence King, 15, who was shot and killed in February at his school. Police say the teen was targeted because he was gay.
Vigil organizers say bullying and name calling often lead to suicide, fights, and even murder.
Students, teachers, and valley organizations are banding together to save lives by creating unity and equality.
"We must be people of one heart," David Pelletier of the Metropolitan Community Church says. "There is one blood that runs under all of our skin."
Palm Springs High School assistant principal Joseph Aguanno says making a difference starts with students speaking out.
"The thing with Lawrence's death is the students knew about it ahead of time and they didn't do anything. They told no one," Aguanno says.
Outside of schools, violence toward gays happens all too often.
Palm Springs resident Vincent Corrales says he was a victim a hate crime when he was badly beaten. One of his friends was killed also because he was gay.
"It's ignorant...It's frustrating," Corrales says about the violence. "I will walk down the street and people yell out anti-gay things. It's disturbing."
Full article: Valley Bands Together Against Hate Crime | KESQ