Hug-In responds to Champaign hate crime

The Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender community will hold a hug-in on Friday from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. in response to an attack on a University student accused of being gay that occurred on Friday, April 11.

The assailant is currently out on bail and awaiting trial. After shouting anti-gay slurs at the man and his friends on Green Street, he came behind the man and pulled him to the ground, knocking him unconscious. Lou Perry, organizer for the event, hopes the hug-in will prevent future crimes from occurring.

"Our intent is to counteract the terror and hate of the attack with positivity and peace," Perry said.

The event will take place along Green Street between Third Street and Wright Street and will involve people of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities and their allies giving out hugs. They will also give out flowers, candy, baked goods and balloons.

"LGBT people, their allies, all students should feel safe wherever they go," Perry said. "This has been taken from us."