Vigil, Burial Held for Slain Gay Sailor August Provost
Approximately 100 people gathered at a site near Camp Pendleton on Friday night for a candlelight vigil and demonstration intended to show solidarity with the family of slain Seaman August Provost, who was found murdered at a guard post on the base on June 29:
"Navy officials have said there isn't any evidence that suggests his slaying was gang-related or a hate crime. Relatives have said Provost told them he had been harassed, and they
had urged him to report it. Rep. Bob Filner, D-San Diego, has said the
Navy told his office that Provost had been killed by a man who was
attacking the base. Charges haven't been filed against the 'person of
interest' – a sailor being held in connection with Provost's death –
and no other suspects have been taken in, Navy Region Southwest
officials said yesterday afternoon. 'We wanted to send a message of solidarity to his family,'
said Max Disposti, chairman of the North County LGBT Coalition, before
the vigil. He said North County is 'so connected' to Camp Pendleton and
“every time something happens in Camp Pendleton it affects the
community too.” He said organizers picked the location along North Coast
Highway near Monterey Drive because it was close to the base and
visible from Interstate 5. Some motorists honked to show support as
they passed."
A Flickr gallery of the vigil.
Provost was laid to rest on Friday in Houston: "Friends and family praised Provost for his “powerful love” of all people, never caring about sexual orientation or race. Only one longtime family friend, Allie Harrison, alluded to concern over whether the gay sailor's death was a hate crime. 'I
believe with all my heart the truth will be revealed and any lies
uncovered,' she said from the pulpit. The service was at Wright Grove
Baptist Church in the Acres Home neighborhood of Houston where Provost
grew up."
Watch scenes from the vigil, AFTER THE JUMP...
Robin McGehee speaks, and mourners march:
An ABC10 news report:




Everyone,
We have an opportunity to repeal “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” (DADT) and allow our military to take advantage of the thousands of dedicated Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen who are drummed out of the service because of their sexual orientation.
Repeal DADT
https://secure3.convio.net/hrc/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=315
We also have an opportunity to pass the “Uniting American Families Act” (UAFA) which would allow my husband to sponsor me for immigration the same as any other American can sponsor his or her spouse. And finally we can lift the ban on traveller's with HIV from coming into the country.
Pass UAFA
https://secure3.convio.net/hrc/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=247
Repeal HIV ban
https://secure3.convio.net/hrc/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=299
Thank you.
Please everyone encourage your Congresspersons to do the right thing with these issues.
Thank you.
Posted by: Christopher | Jul 13, 2009 10:17:04 AM
:-(
Posted by: jimmyboyo | Jul 13, 2009 12:43:35 PM
Does anyone know who's ass we light a fire under to see this is investigated properly? U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee was demanding action in this case, but who do we send the outraged letters/e-mails to, to help her out?
Posted by: Wheezy | Jul 14, 2009 10:09:31 AM