Photo: James Rojas/WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Community members in Mattapan gathered to spread awareness of an alleged hate crime in the neighborhood on Sept. 13.
According to Boston Police, a fight broke out on River Street after two men were on the receiving end of homophobic remarks from another group of people. The investigation was still ongoing as of Sunday, as over a dozen LGBTQ+ supporters gathered on the corner of Blue Hill Ave. and River Street to rally. Joe Fallon and Mark Haley were among them.
"We're here because it was a vicious gay bashing about a week ago of two young men, and it wasn't really widely reported, and it was vicious, and I don't like the idea of these things becoming passe or accepted," Fallon said.
"There was an altercation verbally first with two gay men and a group of men, and then it ended up in one of the gay men being hit on the back of the head with the baseball bat," Haley said.
Photo: James Rojas/WBZ NewsRadio
DotOut, an LGBTQ neighborhood-based community group, helped organize the rally. Fallon said the show of support from passing drivers was overwhelming.
"I think it's great. It's a really busy corner, and it's been really positive. Many people said that they were afraid to come," Fallon said.
Photo: James Rojas/WBZ NewsRadio
The attack happened in City Councilor Enrique Pepen's district.
"It was not what our community stands for. It's not what my district stands for. I'm here to make sure that we show what our priorities are here in District 5 and Boston in general," Haley said.
Photo: James Rojas/WBZ NewsRadio
The incident is being investigated by the Boston Police's Civil Rights Unit.
WBZ NewsRadio’s James Rojas (@JamesRojasMMJ) reports.