Love Conquers Hate and Together We Have Strength

Sorted under GLBTQ, international on November 27, 2009

Miriam Mercado’s son, Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado, was brutally murdered, dismembered, decapitated, and his remains were partially burned two weeks ago in Puerto Rico. News of this devastating hate crime has sparked outrage within and around the GLBT community and their allies throughout the world and earlier this week, candlelight vigils took place all across the United States. The photos and video footage of those candlelight vigils will be used in efforts for full prosecution in the case, as well as getting this case prosecuted as Puerto Rico’s first ever hate crime on the books.

On the day those candlelight vigils took place, Miriam Mercado spoke out against her son’s murder and she had a sound message to deliver to everyone–that love conquers hate and together, we have strength. I am so in awe of this woman’s strength and the compassion she has that she is sending to those around the world who know her story and keep the memory of her son alive today.

Transcript:
Keep in mind that this is a loose translation from Spanish to English, some sentences frankly don’t make a lot of sense but the tremendous message that love conquers hate and no person, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, deserves to be treated any less than any other person is very much in tact.

Hi. My name is Miriam. I am Steven’s mom. My family and I are incredibly grateful for all the love, the unconditional support that you have given me. That’s what gives me the strength, in part, it gives me the force for me to bring a message: Love conquers hate. And this we have to shout to the world because… Steven was a human being. He was my son. He was a brother. I ask you and beg you, everyone in the world, that we should love everyone else no matter what’s there. Behind of what is there, there is a human being, just like my son, who did not deserve this. In the name of my family and my own, I offer my hand, I don’t have how to pay back every… the demonstrations and the love that I have received. So we are all going to bring a message: Love conquers hate. And together, we have strength.



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  • elizabethgay
    I am really moved after reading this. You are such a strong person and so good by heart.
  • I have no idea how a mother could be so strong after losing a child. My heart goes out to her! She and her family will be in my prayers.
  • Love is really special thing in any person's life.
    Love can make one do the impossible thing easily if it is true love and dedication. Cheated in love can harm one as well.
  • atlantalawyer
    Miriam has a strong message that I hope the world will hear. This is a terrible terrible happening and I will never be able to comprehend how people can have such hate and act out on this hate due to their lack of understanding or fear of the unfamiliar. I hope something positive comes from this in the form of strong hate crime laws in Puerto Rico.
  • Oh Miriam, i am really sorry to hear this, this is really very bad, i wish i could help you in some way.
  • Fear is the product of our unbelief. Love conquers bitter heart and peace goes along with love.
  • Let us remember the suffering of this family by encouraging that LOVE redirects all to be in peace and happiness.
  • I agree with you that love conquer hate. I believe that love is something that conquer not only hate but everything in this world. Its great strength of every human. Together its awesome.
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