A candlelight vigil was held across the U.S. last night in memory of Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado, who was brutally murdered a few weeks ago. Many New York activists and supporters joined together Sunday at the Hudson River Park to honor the gay, Puerto Rican teenager.
![Mercado candlelight vigil New York honored the gay Puerto Rican teenager who was decapitated and partially burned. Photo courtesy of Windy City Media Group.](https://www.ohiofusion.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/DSC0018Memorial-300x201.jpg)
Juan Martinez Matos has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder, but many activists are pushing for prosecutors to charge Matos under the federal hate crimes law.
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-Kim Brown