LOWELL, Mass. -- Hundred of people gathered at a local church on Thursday night in response to the recent attack of a transgendered resident.
James "Jenine" Nickola, 22, says that he was the victim of a hate crime. He says that he was attacked by two men around 3 a.m. Saturday morning while he walking walking home. He also says that a third man just watched the men punch and kick him.
"I don't know if I was kicked or pushed, but I ended up on the ground," Nickola said. "My mouth was bleeding profusely."
Police captured the suspects, who were arraigned earlier this week and released from jail.
"Being a gay person myself, I was actually horrified at what had happened," Daniel Ploof, attended the vigil, said.
"We want to show that people in Lowell don't approve of gay bashing," Nancy Donahue, attended the vigil, said.
According to Nickola, despite what allegedly happened to him, he will not live in fear.
"The more people speak out against violence, against bigotry, against hatred, the less it will happen," Nickola said.
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