Remember Rashawn? Perhaps you should... (and update on Michael Sandy)

Rashawn Brazell's family is organizing a 2nd anniversary vigil since the gruesome murder of the 19 year old man. His mother, Desire, is asking the community to join her in making a public statement that her son's life will not be forgotten.

"We will not allow this tragedy to be forgotten," she says in a statement, "Gather with us as we pray that this never happens to anyone else and that no more families have to suffer this kind of loss."

The Vigil will take place on Saturday, February 17, 2007 from 7pm to 8pm. The gathering spot will be just outside the Nostrand Avenue subway station on the A/C train lines in Brooklyn. Photo above from last year's vigil. Please join us!

For some background:

• "Rashawn Brazell's Story - Part 1" (America's Most Wanted)
• "Rashawn Brazell's Story - Part 2" (America's Most Wanted)

In a somewhat related story, today's Gay City News reports that the family of one of four defendants in the recent killing of another black gay man, Michael J. Sandy, is ready to post $1.3 million dollars in bail to free Anthony Fortunato while he goes to court.

Clarence Patton, Executive Director of the New York City Anti-Violence Project, says that the agency has begun a letter-writing campaign to the judge who will oversee the bail hearing on February 7th asking him not to grant bail for Fortunato.

UPDATE: According to a post on the Michael Sandy memorial MySpace board, his mother is also asking for support in opposing bail. A group calling themselves The Michael Sandy Foundation is asking those interested to rally at 11am his Wednesday, February 7th at the Brooklyn Supreme Court (320 Jay Street) which is near the Jay St/Borough Hall train station. The bail hearing will take place at 11am.