Press

Activists from across Virginia and Washington, D.C. will participate in several vigils Thursday in memory of Danny Lee Overstreet and in support of the shooting victims from last week's tragedy in Roanoke.

Times, locations and contact information:

• 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Lafayette Park, Washington D.C. A rally supporting Congressional passage of expanded federal hate crimes legislation and vigil in memory of Danny Lee Overstreet. Organized by Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, a coalition of more than 180 national organizations. Contact: Becky Dansky, 202-466-3431.
  
• 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, 4444 Arlington Boulevard. An interfaith vigil service in memory of Danny Lee Overstreet. Organized by Northern Virginia GLBT activists and NGLTF. Contact: Rev. Debra Peevey, Journey of the Heart Ministry, 703-437-3717 or Jay Fisette, Vice Chair, Arlington County Board, 703-524-2277.
  
• 7 p.m. Thursday, Elmwood Park Ampitheatre, corner of Jefferson and Elm streets, downtown Roanoke. A vigil in memory of Danny Lee Overstreet and the other six shooting victims. Organized by the Hate Free Roanoke Task Force with the help of NGLTF. Contact: Rev. Catherine Houchins of Metropolitan Community Church of the Blue Ridge at 540-344-4444 or Rev. Tony Hash of the Christ the Good Shepherd American Catholic Church at 540-725-5142.

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The mission of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force is to build the political power of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community from the ground up. We do this by training activists, organizing broad-based campaigns to defeat anti-LGBT referenda and advance pro-LGBT legislation, and by building the organizational capacity of our movement. Our Policy Institute, the movement’s premier think tank, provides research and policy analysis to support the struggle for complete equality and to counter right-wing lies. As part of a broader social justice movement, we work to create a nation that respects the diversity of human expression and identity and creates opportunity for all. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., we also have offices in New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis and Cambridge.