NYC solidarity demo to protest acquittal in murder of gay couple in Vigo, Spain!

This blog has been getting massive hits today and I have to thank Rex Wockner, Towleroad, Joe.My.God, John Aravosis, Dan Savage, Michael-in-Norfolk and Pam for picking up on my Monday post on the 'gay panic' acquittal of a man who murdered a gay couple in Spain.

The latest news is that the murderer, Jacobo Piñeiro Rial, was sentenced today to 20 years in prison. He was given the maximum for burning down the apartment where he killed the couple. But remains acquitted of taking the life of two men.

A friend of mine was so shocked by the murder and verdict that he has been spending the last couple of days setting up a demo here in New York City to coincide with the ones planned this weekend in Madrid, Barcelona and Vigo.

Here is the Facebook page (which you can join) and the details:

New Yorkers in Solidarity with Vigo, Spain.
Saturday, March 7, 2009 (1:00 - 2:30 PM)
Where: In front of the Spanish Embassy in New York City.
150 East 58 Street.

A group of solidarity demonstrators against the acquittal of double murderer Julio Piñeiro Rial in Vigo, Spain. Piñeiro murdered Isaac Ali Dani Peréz Triviño and Julio Anderson Luciano of 57 stabbing wounds. On February 20th, 2009, Pineiro was acquitted of double murder.

THE WORLD WANTS JUSTICE and we are all gathering in solidarity in front of the Spanish Embassy on March 7, 2009 from 1:00 - 2:30 PM

The demonstration in New York City on Saturday, March 7, 2009 in front of the Spanish Embassy is to show support in solidarity with those that are appalled by the outcome of the case. The demonstration sends a clear message to the WORLD that nowadays we need to listen, react and respond to this outrage.

Our message to all Spaniards is that the we, New Yorkers, care and offer our support; that we embrace the pain of Marta Pérez Triviñio, mother of Isaac, and all their relatives and friends, as well as those of Julio Anderson; that in moments of injustice we cannot simply stand mute.

A couple of things that have come up in comments elsewhere:

1. The couple did not pick up Piñiero together. Isaac worked as a bartender at the gay bar Strong and served him drinks when Piñiero arrived at the bar and aparently invited him home after his shift was over. They spent the afternoon together (from 4:30pm to 10:30pm) at the gay couple's apartment and forensic reports say that both did cocaine. No traces of sperm DNA were found on Treviñio's body although a friend of the couple does say that he knocked on the door early in the day and left when Treviñio answered wearing just a towel and he heard a man's voice inside the apartment.

2. The ruling has been challenged in a higher court. The Top Tribunal Justice Court of Galicia has accepted a challenge to the ruling and say that they will decide whether the popular court reached a just verdict or not within two months. There is still a chance that justice can be done in this murder.

3. The crime was not only horrendous but also xenophobic: In statements that Piñeiro made to the police (which were not played in court in their entirety), he expressed disgust that a black Brazilian immigrant might make sexual advances and told witnesses afterwards that he had been first accosted by the 'nigger'.

4. Piñeiro and his lawyer used the 'gay panic' argument to get him off murder charges: Let's see Piñeiro met one of his victims at a gay bar and accepted his invite to spend the afternoon together. From 4:30 pm to 10:30 pm he was alone with someone he knew was gay. At 4:00 am he claims that he 'gay panicked' and still, after murdering the couple, he still didn't leave their apartment until 9:30am, showered and carrying a suitcase full of the gay couple's belongings. Doesn't sound like panicky. Just methodical.

5. Worse than reported: I have to say that I was literally sickened to read some of the forensic reports of the murder and that, as a matter of fact, I kept some of the most disturbing stuff out of my previous blog post. Here it is: Not only did Piñeiro stab his victims 57 times, cover them with blankets, tie them up with cables, and set them on fire... He also made sure to stab Isaac in the face so badly that the firemen who responded to the fire alarms said that it was the worst they had ever seen.

So! If you have some time, please join us on Saturday! I might even take a pic or two and feature you on this blog! If you cared for Matthew Shepard, care for Isaac and Julio! Join us on Saturday!