‘This has broken all our hearts’: candlelit vigil for Brianna Ghey held in Leicester

By Shaikha Rahimi

A candlelit vigil was held in the city centre to remember transgender teenager Brianna Ghey, who was stabbed to death in Cheshire earlier this month

Brianna’s vigil in Leicester.

Mourners gathered at the Clock Tower in Leicester on Saturday to pay tribute to murdered 16-year-old Brianna Ghey.

Vigils have been held across the UK in memory of Brianna, a transgender girl from Birchwood in Warrington, who was found with fatal stab wounds on a path in Linear Park, in Culcheth, Cheshire on Saturday, February 11.

The organiser of the Leicester vigil, Abi – who did not want to share her full name – told Leicestershire Press: “The vigil gave people from Leicester’s trans community the opportunity to pay tribute to Brianna and grieve together.

“The death of Brianna has broken all our hearts, especially of those who are the same age as her. The healing starts now. We won’t forget her and we won’t let hate towards us win.”

Local community comes together to honour and remember Brianna.

Bouquets of flowers were left by the Clock Tower. Many of the well-wishers held signs with messages to Brianna. One read: “Rest in pride.” Another said: “Trans rights are human rights.”

Among those who were present was Zak Fiken, a 21-year-old student at DMU. He told Leicestershire Press: “What we saw happen to Brianna was abhorrent and beyond comprehension. Above all else, she was a girl with her whole life ahead of her, which has now been taken.

“The trans community are some of the most marginalised in our society, and transphobia is becoming increasingly mainstream, Even at the vigil we heard transphobic abuse being shouted at us. Every line used against the trans community today was used against the gay community in the 80s.

“We will continue to fight for trans rights, and let Brianna be the last person to be killed.”

Dozens lit candles to remember the 16-year-old.

A boy and a girl, both aged 15, have been charged with Brianna’s murder. They appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday, February 15, where a trial date was fixed for Monday, July 10.

Following her tragic death, Brianna’s family paid an emotional tribute to her, describing Brianna as “strong and fearless.”

They said that a “massive hole” had been left in their family after her death. The full statement issued through Cheshire police said: “Brianna was a much loved daughter, granddaughter, and baby sister.”

Candlelit vigil in Leicester for Brianna Ghey, 16, who was stabbed to death in Cheshire

By Shaikha Rahimi

Many similar vigils have been planned across the UK

Brianna Ghey (Image: Cheshire police handout)

Leicester will join cities across the UK in paying tribute to transgender teenager Brianna Ghey, who was fatally stabbed in a park.

A candlelit vigil in memory of the 16-year-old will be held at the Clock Tower in the city centre at 5.30pm on Saturday. It is one of many vigils being held throughout Britain to honour her memory.

Brianna, a Year 11 pupil from Birchwood, Warrington, was found on a path in Linear Park, in Culcheth, Cheshire, last Saturday. Police said she had been stabbed several times.

A boy and girl, both aged 15 and from Warrington, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at the Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday after being charged with murder. 

The provisional trial date has been set for July 10.

Vigils organised by members of the LGBTQ+ community have been held in cities such as London, Glasgow, and Belfast. Leicester’s vigil for Brianna has been organised by a number of groups, including Enough is Enough Leicester.

Following her tragic death, Brianna’s family paid an emotional tribute to her, describing Brianna as “strong and fearless.”

They said that a “massive hole” had been left in their family after her death. The full statement issued through Cheshire Police said: “Brianna was a much loved daughter, granddaughter, and baby sister.”

People attending the vigil on Saturday are encouraged to bring candles, signs and tributes.

Readers returning to Leicester’s Braunstone Town Library after lockdown slump

By Vivek Julka

Braunstone Town Library has suffered a major drop in numbers since re-opening after lockdown.

In a bid to get numbers back up, the library has been running events such as coffee mornings and story time.

Lesley Lycett, a worker in the library said: “Over lockdown we ran a click and collect service but coming out after lockdown, numbers have decreased.

“To combat this, we have events such as drop-in sessions, coffee mornings and story time throughout the week to get numbers back up.

“We hope more and more people start participating in these fun events.

“Numbers are increasing gradually and hope to be back in full swing in a few months’ time.”

Braunstone Town Library also do DVDs and photocopies in aim to get more people in.

Leicester’s Newarke Point construction disrupts traffic at De Montfort University

By Thomas Dye

Construction on Newarke Points A and B Blocks
A and B blocks of Newarke Point with scaffold erected

Newarke Point student accommodation is undergoing serious disruptive building works that will restrict traffic and student parking until the end of summer. 

Letting agent Unite Students’ Newarke Point building, on the De Montfort University Campus, is undergoing a complete cladding overhaul following annual safety checks.

The construction works have included the raising of multiple scaffold towers after the safety check stated that whilst the results were good, there was a recommendation “To change the exterior façade to improve beyond what is required.”

A statement from Unite Students said that student and staff parking have both been removed to allow construction traffic.

Students are being advised to park further away from the entrance to prevent damage by moving plant equipment. 

Specific rooms are also having windows removed to be replaced, with residents being offered both temporary and permanent places in alternative accommodation and are being asked to “remove all belongings from around the window area.” 

Police raid parties and issue fines as students flout lockdown restrictions in Covid-hit Leicester

By Laura Murphy and Sarah Danquah

A student who was fined £800 for contravening lockdown laws and attending an illegal party says he doesn’t regret going to the party – he only regrets getting caught.

The 19-year-old student, who was visiting his girlfriend at DMU from his uni in London, was arrested by police after they broke up a huge party in student accommodation.

The incident happened on Saturday night (FEB27) at Inka Studios in Percy Road, near to the University of Leicester. There were more incidents nearer to DMU the previous night.

“We just wanted to be around people and didn’t really think about the virus,” admitted the 19-year-old student, who did not want to be named. 

Young people gather in the street after police put a stop to their illegal party.

“The police turned up at 4 am and shut everything down. I’m not really around people so who could I really pass the virus on to? All the people that are vulnerable are currently being vaccinated anyway.

“If you’re willing to break the law, though, you should be able to face the consequences.”

‘Several illegal parties’

It was one of several illegal parties students held in the city last weekend, according to Leicestershire police. Leicester currently boasts the second highest number of coronavirus cases in the East Midlands.

Similar parties were broken up by police in student households in Dover Street, Marquis Street and Tudor Road, near DMU, on Friday night.

Police estimate more than 100 students had attended the parties and that 35 people were issued with £200 forced penalty fines.

The Friday night party seemed to start in one house and move to others, say neighbours, as the police attended and broke-up gatherings.

Harvey Mills, the director of Cloud Student, the company that owns the student property in this area, said calls were made to police and they attended promptly. Mr Mills called on DMU to crack down on students breaking restrictions.

Residents of Tudor Road were disgusted at the blatant disregard for the rules.

“Some of us have lost our jobs so it’s quite disturbing seeing all these people being inconsiderate and not caring about what is happening around them,” one resident said.

Another resident who witnessed the partying said students were being irresponsible. “Parties like these occupy the police at the weekend,” she said. “The police shouldn’t have to deal with students being inconsiderate.”

A police spokesperson said they will be patrolling the Tudor Road area to prevent other gatherings from happening. 

Will it stop the gatherings? It might not. One student who ran from las weekend’s party and was not caught remains unrepentant.

“I wanted to have fun. I am tired of staying of indoors. I feel like Covid is never ending,” she said.

“I’d definitely go to a party again – not this week but probably next week.”

We asked DMU to comment on this, but they did not respond.