Hundreds Attend Oshawa Rally To Support Lesbian Victims Of Alleged AssaultFriday November 14, 2008
CityNews.ca StaffAfter being left bloody and beaten by what they allege was a vicious hate crime, two Oshawa women are taking action.
And getting a world of support.
Almost a thousand people came out Friday night in a show of solidarity with Jane Currie and her partner Anji Dimitiou, who were reportedly attacked by a fellow parent at the elementary school their son attends because, they say, the man took issue with their sexuality.
The ugly incident - which alleged assailant Mark Scott claims followed one of the women directing racial slurs at his child - unfolded two Mondays previous at Gordon B. Attersley School.
It has since spawned a
Facebook page in support of the two victims, and thousands expressed their outrage in the days that followed, culminating with the rally Friday night.
The show of support caused Currie to break down.
"I told myself I wasn't going to cry, then I saw all these people," she sniffled through the tears. "They're here for us and for what they believe in.
"Hate is hate and hate breeds hate and we want to stop it," Dimitiou added.
Many others spoke with a similar degree of conviction.
"I need not remind you that these two women were assaulted while picking their kids up from school," said NDP MPP Mike Shields, who addressed the crowd. "A school yard of all places ... it should be the safest of places."
The outpouring of disgust towards Scott's alleged actions has been nothing short of staggering, but not everybody believes the explanation for the violence is clear cut.
"There's always two sides to every story. He's having a really hard time dealing with it," said Scott's lawyer Mark Jacula. "But I think he's dealing with it quite well. I know it's been difficult for his kids. He has three young children."
In the meantime, Scott's been ordered to stay 200 metres from the school and 500 metres away from anywhere the women are known to be.
He also faces two charges of assault causing bodily harm. His first court appearance is December 16th.