Candelit vigil organised for Dublin in memory of Brianna Ghey: "Now is the time to speak up"

Candlelit vigils will be held across the UK and Ireland in memory of transgender teenager Brianna Ghey, who was fatally stabbed in Linear Park, Culcheth last Saturday.

A vigil will also be held in Dublin tomorrow evening (Wednesday, February 15th) to pay tribute to 16-year-old Brianna. It will begin at 6 pm at the Spire on O'Connell Street, organised by Trans & Intersex Pride Dublin.

Members of the public discovered the murdered teenager from Birchwood in Warrington as she lay wounded on a path at 3:13pm last weekend.

According to Cheshire Police, a boy and a girl, both aged 15, have been arrested on suspicion of murder and remain in custody. Many online are claiming the stabbing was a hate crime, though the police said that there is no evidence to suggest this.

Yet the rate of murder committed against transgender people is at an all-time high.

Detectives have arrested two teenagers following the death of 16-year-old Brianna Ghey in Warrington.

A 15y/o boy and a 15y/o girl, both from the local area, have been arrested on suspicion of murder. They are currently in custody assisting police with their investigation. (1/6) pic.twitter.com/0aSLdGgEme

— Warrington Police (@PoliceWarr) February 12, 2023

A GoFundMe fundraising page was set up to assist Brianna's family. Over €60,000 in donations were passed in one day.

"Now is the time to speak up. Now is the time to get organised, attend protests and very loudly show your support for your trans siblings,“ Trans & Intersex Pride Dublin said on social media in regards to The Spire protest tomorrow. "To pay our respects and come together in the face of tragedy.“

Vigils organised by members of the LGBTQ+ &  transgender community will also take place in London, Glasgow, Leeds, and Belfast in the coming days, with events in Liverpool and Bristol scheduled for Tuesday evening.

 

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Brianna's family described her as a "much-loved daughter, granddaughter, and baby sister," in a tribute issued after her death.

The statement continued: “She was a larger-than-life character who would leave a lasting impression on all that met her. Brianna was beautiful, witty and hilarious. Brianna was strong, fearless and one of a kind. The loss of her young life has left a massive hole in our family, and we know that the teachers and her friends who were involved in her life will feel the same."

Following the incident, a number of police vans were seen parked in the area, as well as a number of uniformed officers patrolling the park. A large area was cordoned off by police tape, and police dogs were also present.

Brianna's death has left Birchwood Community High School "shocked and truly devastated," according to the school's principal.

On Monday, a group of schoolchildren, still dressed in their uniforms, placed flowers at the park's entrance police cordon. On the social media website Twitter, many people from all over the world expressed their condolences and sympathies.

A list of the vigils taking place can be found below:

Here's a map showing all of the announced Brianna Ghey vigils across the UK, as of 1am this morning.

Say her name: Brianna Ghey
Say her pronouns: she/her #sayhername #sayherpronouns #briannaghey #justiceforbriannaghey #vigil #translivesmatter pic.twitter.com/kRinKDTiQA

— Trans Pride Brighton (@TPrideBrighton) February 14, 2023