Hundreds hold candle light vigil for dead sailor
Daily Echo: Oct. 28, 2007 9:24am today By Lucy Clark HUNDREDS of Fawley residents united last night at an emotional candlelit vigil to commemorate Gregory Fernandes. The 32-year-old sailor from the Indian state of Goa collapsed and died following a race-hate gang attack in the Hampshire village on October 20. Exactly one week after the assault when up to 20 youths attacked Mr Fernandes, Fawley residents pulled together to pay their respects to him and his family. About 300 villagers and New Forest East MP Julian Lewis attended a special service in a packed All Saints Church before silently walking to The Square, where the attack on devout Christian Mr Fernandes took place. At The Square, they held a two-minute silence before lighting candles. The Rev Barry James, who led the church service, said: "The community is in shock. People are dismayed and ashamed of what happened here, in what is normally a quiet Hampshire village. "We wanted to acknowledge what happened and express our feelings of solidarity, as well as to show Gregory's family that we are remembering him and that we care." http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/latest/display.var.1791585.0.hundreds_hold_candle_light_vigil_for_dead_sailor.php Sanny de Quepem <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com
