New York City Police have identified a body pulled from the Hudson River as that of Tyler Clementi, an 18 year-old Rutgers University student who jumped off the George Washington Bridge after his sexual encounter with a man was streamed live without his knowledge by his classmates.
Meanwhile the support for Tyler Clementi and his family has been overwhelming. Within hours of the creation of "In Honor of Tyler Clementi" Facebook was launched, it quickly grew from 15,000 to over 35,000 members!
Tyler Clementi was the victim of ignorance and childish pranks allegedly started by his own classmates at Rutgers University, 18 year-olds Dharun Ravi and Molly Mei. He was unknowingly filmed via a webcam during a sexual encounter in his dorm by his roommate, Dharun Ravi.
In St. Augustine, Flagler College students were saddened by this news. One student, who asked not to be named, was extremely upset that gay people are having to endure such harassement.
Both Dharun Ravi and Molly Mei are being charged with invasion of privacy.
As his body was recently found, the support on Facebook has been steady and strong.
Here are some of the comments:
- God help our young people. How can they treat each other this way. What is going so seriously wrong in our present day society!!! God bless Tyler and his family and friends. - Denia
- My Sincere condolences. I am sad and angry that Tyler felt that his only option was to take his own life. We have comes so far, but this reminds us that the road is long and fraught with pain and sacrifice, and have so much farther to go. - Frank
- My hurt just hurts for this boy. I Just can't get him out of my head...may he RIP. Prayers and condolences to his family and friends... - Marie
- May you rest in peace. I only hope your tragic passing is a wake up call across the globe so that nobody else's life is curtailed through the hatred and ignorance of others.- Stuart
This sentiment comes from far and wide. If you want to add your thoughts and support, sign-in today. They will not tolerate hate speech or any disrespect to the family.
Some people are viewing this as a potential hate crime. Although it is clear that Tyler Clementi committed suicide, it is what drove him there that is very concerning. Tyler Clementi's sexuality was exploited in a negative way. He was humiliated to death.
There is also evidence that in the days following his roommate's, Ravi, alleged spying on him, Tyler Clementi reached out to a gay website to complain.
Tyler Clementi's post on his Facebook page, dated Sept. 22 at 8:42 p.m. read, "Jumping off the gw bridge sorry."
We are sorry. We are sorry for the ignorance and lack of tolerance of some people and hope and pray that Tyler's death will not be in vain.
Many prayers and support to Clementi family and friends.
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