photo: Denise Tejada - Youth Radio/ BY-NC-SA

On Tuesday Richmond High School held a public vigil marking the school's solidary in the aftermath of the shocking attack of a 15-year-old student after her homecoming dance. According to police, more than a dozen of people watched for almost two-and a half hours as multiple people raped the girl. So far, Richmond police have made seven arrests in the case. The victim has been released from the hospital.

The crowd at Tuesday's vigil consisted of students, faculty members, community members and leaders. Classmates of the victim showed their support through singing, poetry, dancing, and making t-shits that read “Stop the violence.”

At the vigil, an advocate from the Community Violence Solutions read the victim's first public statement since the incident. The statement reads as follow:

"Violence is always a wrong choice. We realize people are angry about this, but let the anger cause change; change that is necessary to keep our children, our neighbors and our friends safe. We thank everyone for their love, support and ongoing prayers.”
 

Previously:
• Richmond High Students Talk About Gang Rape
• Update on Richmond High Attack
• Denim Day In LA