Brianna Ghey: Vigils held across UK for trans teen stabbed to death in ‘extremely brutal and punishing’ attack in park
VIGILS have been held across the UK for trans teen Brianna Ghey who was stabbed to death in Warrington last weekend.
Hundreds of mourners gathered in the town she was killed to as far afield as Southampton on Saturday afternoon.
Brianna, a trans girl aged just 16, was found with fatal wounds on a path in Culcheth Linear Park at around 3.13pm on February 11.
But tragically the teen, from the Birchwood area of Warrington, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Some of those gathered in the Cheshire town donned rainbow and trans flags draped across their shoulders, held candles, turned on phone lights and laid flowers.
While others wrote tributes on a placard that was placed in the town square.
Gatherings also took place in London, Derby, Hull, Leeds, Newcastle and Reading as thousands paid their respects.
Sobbing mourners left cards with messages like ‘Rest in Power Brianna’ and ‘Protect Trans Kids’ during the vigils.
Others wore t-shirts with Brianna’s picture emblazoned across the front.
Many of the well-wishers wore “rest in power Brianna Ghey” T-shirts with a picture of her on the front.
The Labour MP for Warrington North, Charlotte Nichols, said the local community had been left “reeling”.
She added: “I cannot begin to imagine the agony that her family, her friends and all her loved ones are feeling right now – no parent should ever have to bury a child.”
Other vigils vigils took place in Southampton, Nottingham and Edinburgh on Friday.
It comes after another candlelit vigil was held in Culcheth Village Green, near the scene of the stabbing, on Friday.
The event was attended by the mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham.
He tweeted: “Here to remember Brianna, send our love to her family and support to young trans people everywhere.”
Detective Chief Supt Mike Evans of Cheshire Police described the killing as a “targeted attack” on Brianna during a “busy day” at the park.
Cheshire Police are now investigating whether the teen was attacked as part of a transphobic hate crime.
A boy and a girl, both aged 15, have been charged with her murder and appeared via videolink at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday where a trial date was fixed for July.
The pair, who can’t be named, remained emotionless during the short hearing.
The girl’s parents and boy’s mum appeared tearful as they watched proceedings from the public gallery.