Serranos Condemn Brutal Hate Crime

Bronx, NY
, March 24, 2005—Today, Congressman José E. Serrano and State Senator José M. Serrano issued the following statement in response to the horrific beating of
Bronx
resident Nelson Torres:

“We were both shocked and deeply pained to hear of the brutal and senseless attack on Nelson Torres.

One of the most fundamental rights we should all enjoy is the right to walk in peace in our communities.  For Nelson Torres, that right has been abridged in a horrific way.  Nelson Torres is an activist and a prominent member of the gay community in The Bronx, but his prominence should not obscure the sad fact that this was not an extraordinary event.  It was, in fact, an all too common occurrence in our borough. 

We categorically condemn these attacks and urge the police to do all they can to bring those involved in this crime to justice and to prevent future assaults against our friends, neighbors, and colleagues.  Such hate crimes tear at the fabric of , whether they are directed at blacks, gays, Hispanics, Jews or anyone else.  They are an affront to us all; they insult us as Americans. 

Our hearts go out to Nelson, to his loved ones, and to the employees of the Hispanic AIDS Forum where he works.  We stand firmly by our neighbors, our brothers and sisters in the gay, lesbian, and transgender community in condemning anti-gay bigotry of any kind, and we pray for Nelson’s speedy recovery.  We will work towards that day when all of our citizens, regardless of their orientation or identity, can walk in peace, free from fear.”

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