Matthew Shepard Awareness Letter

Coming from one of the most accepting cities in the world, it disgusts
me to hear of things like this. How can we possibly claim to be such an
“advanced civilization” when we are unable to accept anyone who isn’t
exactly the same as we are? Hearing of things like this really makes me
feel ashamed to be human. Please stop and think about your differences,
about how important the things that set you apart and make you an
individual are to you. I wish that we all could all accept and live
with each others differences. That would truly make me proud. Please
take the minute to send this letter on to someone else. i think everyone
could benefit from thinking about it.

Thank you,

Chris Plevin

Tonight, October 14, The Claremont Colleges held a candlelight vigil in
remembrance of Matthew Shepard, the twenty-one year old college student
who was beaten to death by two students recently. Matthew was tied up,
pistol-whipped with a .357 Magnum until his skull broke, and left for
dead. Matthew died simply because he was gay. In honor of him, and
everyone who has ever been the target of a hate crime, I am asking you
all to sign this letter, and pass it on to everyone that
you know. The letter is just a start; take this chance to tell people
how you feel about this terrible event. Let all your friends and
acquaintances know that this is wrong, and it will not be tolerated.
Step up to the challenge, educate people on the horror of a hatred that
runs this deep, and do not let anyone forget Matthew Shepard and all who
have endured hate crimes.

1.) Cristen Blanding
2.) Chris Plevin
3.) Lisa Lapan
4.) Cari Frisch
5.) Elissa Buxbaum
6.) Ari Richter
7.) Joann Garcia
8.) Bridget McElhiney
9.) Melissa Campanile
10.) John Russell
11.) Ariel Lerner
12.) Emily Hardesty
13.) Monica Price*
14.) Bre Wright
15.) Christina Quaccia