Clutching candles, rainbow flags and home made posters, hundreds joined a vigil for murdered gay teenager Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado on the Christopher Street Pier Sunday night. Joining thousands across the country. Audio by Carmen Perez, Photo by Yepoka Yeebo.

By Yepoka Yeebo

Clutching candles, rainbow flags and home made posters, hundreds joined a vigil for murdered gay teenager Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado on the Christopher Street Pier Sunday night, joining thousands around the country.

“An attack against any American because of their sexual orientation or gender identity is unacceptable,” New York City Council speaker Christine Quinn told the cheering crowd at Pier 45 on the Hudson River. “It will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

Eighth District City Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito joined Quinn in criticizing Puerto-Rican Gov. Luis Fortuño for not denouncing the murder.

“Silence condones the hate that continues to breed in our community,” said Mark-Viverito.

The body of 19-year-old Mercado’s was found by the side of a deserted road near the town of Ceyey in central Puerto Rico on Nov. 14. He had been decapitated and dismembered, and his remains had been partially burned.

Campaigners say Mercado was murdered because of his sexual orientation. Juan Antonio Martínez Matos, 26, who told police he thought Mercado was a woman when he gave him a ride and panicked when he realized he was not, confessed to the murder three days later.

“It’s just horrific, being Boricua, that my own people did this,” said Romeo Robero, shaking his head. “And people were saying that as a gay man he should have expected this, like he deserved it. Nobody should expect to be murdered.”

Joined by politicians and activists, the crowd called for Mercado’s murder to be prosecuted as a hate crime under the Matthew Shepherd Act, which mandated attacks based on sexual identity a federal hate crime. It is still unclear whether the attack will be prosecuted as a hate crime.

Amy Pang, clutching a red votive candle, repeated a common sentiment: “It was horrific, really, just really horrific. “

“It proves we need the hate crime laws,” she added, looking over to a small group holding banners reading “repeal hate crimes laws” and “justice not vengeance.”

“A murder is a murder,” said Mark Ensler, who was carrying one of the signs. “Calling it a hate crime is not going to change what happened, and it is not going to stop killers.

This should be about making sure everyone gets justice.”

The vigil included speeches from campaigners and personalities, including fashion designer Malan Breton. Author Stephanie Jones also read a letter from Mercado’s mother, Miriam.

“When my son told me he was gay, I told him, ‘Now, I love you more,’” the letter read.

“Hatred is not born with human beings, it is a seed that is planted by adults and is fostered creating a climate of intolerance and violence. We must change our ways and understand that anyone could have been my son.”

Carrying a baby swaddled in a brightly pattered blanket, Noelle Maris said the brutality of the attack had scared into action.

“Living in the West Village, you forget that it gets this bad, those days aren’t over.

I had to come out here and do something,” Maris said, lifting a corner of the blanket to check on the baby.

The candle lit vigil was followed by a service at nearby St Luke in The Fields Church.