NY CANDLELIGHT VIGIL PLANNED

A candlelight vigil in New York City has been planned to mark the murders of South African lesbian couple Sizakele Sigasa and Salome Masooa, as well as “honouring all LGBT and HIV positive African heroes who have been murdered.”

The event is set for 14 August, with the exact venue still be to be confirmed. It is being planned by a group called the Committee of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender African Immigrants Residing in the U.S.

In a statement, the organisation said that, “This barbaric act was meant to paralyze our community with fear so as to eradicate the wonderful work that is being done to empower us. We condemn this brutal act. Our community is being robbed of brave and courageous women who dedicate their lives to improving the well being of the society.”

It goes on to say that, “We stand in solidarity with the family and friends of the brave women who were recently murdered, the Joint Working Group, and all LGBT / HIV-positive individuals living in Africa. We demand justice for Sizakele Sigasa, Salome Masooa, Simangele Nhlapho, Madoe Mafubedu and all others who have been persecuted because they were fighting for self-determination and liberation of all African peoples.”

For information and updates on the vigil on 14 August, visit http://www.myspace.com/liberation4allafricans or e-mail africanliberation@gmail.com.