Vigil marks year of healing since attack at Puzzles bar

[Ian David]

NEW BEDFORD — Robert Perry, one of the victims of the attack at Puzzles Lounge a year ago, said New Bedford is a better place now than it was then.

"I know some significant things have happened," said Mr. Perry, who was shot, stabbed and struck in the face with a hatchet in the Feb. 1, 2006, attack by Jacob D. Robida. "Things have happened in the School Department and the Police Department. There are people who are listening. There are people who are aware of the problem."

Mr. Perry said he has "40 years worth of scars from comments going all the way back to junior high. The hatred, I've felt it my whole life."

Mr. Perry and about 150 people attended a vigil last night marking the one-year anniversary of the attack at Puzzles Lounge. They held candles and listened to speakers talk about what has changed in the year since the attack, in which Mr. Perry and two other patrons were seriously injured. Mr. Robida, 18, then fled to West Virginia and finally Arkansas, where he killed a police officer, his girlfriend and himself.

Calling the rampage at Puzzles Lounge a year ago "a flashpoint for what gay people face every day," John Vasconcellos said the attack has shone light on "the discrimination, harassment and sometimes violence" that gay people must endure.

More:
http://www.southcoasttoday.com/daily/02-07/02-02-07/01barker1.htm


Also, see related editorial:

OUR VIEW: Compassion for others is the legacy


What has changed in SouthCoast in the year since a troubled teen-ager walked into Puzzles Lounge in New Bedford, hacked and shot at people he presumed to be gay, then killed himself, a former girlfriend and an Arkansas police officer as he ran from justice?

The North Front Street bar where Jacob Robida decided to act out his delusional hatred for gays changed hands, but still welcomes gay patrons. A forum was held in which community leaders heard residents speak against hate speech and homophobia, and a city councilor proclaimed publicly and movingly that he is gay.

The community took the victims of the attacks under its care. Programs were added to reach out to gay elders and gay students.

Mayor Scott W. Lang, just weeks into his two-year term, spoke eloquently in defending his city's reputation as a place that is broadly tolerant and accepting of all kinds of people.

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The sad truth is that there is not much to be learned from people like Jacob Robida because they are — thankfully — so rare. And the best we can do about a crime like his is to promise ourselves that we will try harder to live as neighbors to all, even those who are most different from us, and treat others as we want to be treated.

More:
http://www.southcoasttoday.com/daily/02-07/02-02-07/01opinion.htm


Uhm...

No.

Jacob Robida is NOT rare.

The only thing holding the rest of the crazies in check is the fact that what he did is illegal.

[ThomCat]

1. I agree. Jacob Robida is NOT rare.

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