An LGBTQ demonstration featuring dozens of picketers took place in Decatur, Ill., a three-hour drive southwest of Chicago.
They protested a hate crime perpetrated by Ethan Dickerson who attacked his gay neighbor while yelling ant-LGBTQ epithets.
Dickerson is facing hate crime charges.
August Francis, event organizer, told WCIA-TV that such a hate crime is rare in their city but admits it was once more prevalent.
Decatur is a city of 70,522 residents, according to the 2020 Census. In a guage of social leanings, a majority of its voters chose President Donald Trump in the 2020 election.
The BestPlaces Liberal/Conservative Index places Decatur as "moderately conservative."
Decatur, Ill. residents advocate for gay man attacked in hate crime
Tue. February 22, 2022 1:47 PM by Gerald Farinas
decatur transfer station
photo credit // gopride.com