Two Men Assaulted Outside of City Hall in Hate Crime

Emmanuel Winston suffered contusions and lacerations to his face following an attack Saturday morning

The Austin Police Department has launched a full investigation into the assault of two men as they walked away from a popular Austin gay club on 4th Street early Saturday morning.

The men, Matt Morgan and Emmanuel Winston, talked about the incident on OutCast Radio (KOOP 91.7 FM) Tuesday.  Host Heath Riddles also interviewed Austin City Council member Laura Morrison about what she called a hate crime.  She said the city has a responsibility to identify and investigate instances like this that put lives in danger.

"The Austin Police Department is taking this matter very seriously," said Morrison.

According to Equality Texas, Morrison and Winston were attacked by four men in front of City Hall around 2:30 a.m. on the morning of February 20.  Safety concerns have been raised in the gay community and how similar crimes are reported.

Council member Randi Shade, who is openly gay, said Austin is a city known for being open to people of all backgrounds.  "We in the LGBT community are fortunate to live in Austin, a community known for being gay friendly, and I am confident that APD will do everything in its power to investigate this crime and ensure that justice is served," he said.

 Shade also said this crime threatens people's sense of safety in the community.  He and Morrison will attend a press conference on Thursday at noon inside City Hall, hosted by Equality Texas.

Teammates of the victims' gay softball league have started a Facebook page as a call to action in the gay community to take a stand against hate crimes like this.  The group is also organizing a march on Saturday called "Austin March Against Hate."  Supporters will gather at Oil Can Harry's at 2 p.m. and will march to City Hall at 3 p.m.  Below is a letter written on Facebook.

Hi Everyone,

Late last Friday night on February 19, two of our players were on their way home from OCH after attending Softball Austin's Jersey Night which kicks off each new softball season. All of our players, including Matt Morgan and Emmanuel Winston, were wearing their Shady Ladies jersey as part of the festivities.

As Matt & Emmanuel began their walk from OCH to their car at City Hall, they didn't notice the four men following them. When they got close to City Hall, the men ambushed Matt & Emmanuel uttering slurs about their sexuality and violently beat them before running away. Their only motivation in the attack was hate.

Our community needs to come together and take a stand against Hate and let our Austin Police and City Leaders know that they need to do more to ensure the safety and protection of all Austinites who make that same walk every night.

This Saturday afternoon, we are holding an "Austin March Against Hate" and we want to get the entire community to come join us as we all walk together with Matt Morgan and Emmanuel Winston as we take that same walk from OCH to City Hall. We will gather at OCH starting at 2PM on Saturday, February 27, 2010 and we will march from OCH to City Hall at 3PM!

We will all be wearing our Shady Ladies shirts. If you participate in any of Austin's many GLBT sports leagues, please wear your team's jersey as well.

Many of you have also asked about wanting to buy a Shady Ladies shirt to wear and we will have those available for purchase on Saturday for just $10.

So let's get the entire community unified this Saturday afternoon and take a stand against hate!

See everyone on Saturday!

Thanks,

Shady Ladies Softball Team