Social Justice

Where are the vigils for Brianna Ghey being held?

Two teenagers have been charged with the murder of Brianna Ghey, a trans girl who was found dead in a park on February 11.

Pictures of 16-year-old Brianna Ghey with the message 'REST IN POWER' are displayed surrounded by candles during a candlelit vigil in her memory on February 14, 2023 in Liverpool, England.

Candlelit vigils are being held across the UK this week for Brianna Ghey, 16, who was stabbed in Linear Park in Culcheth, Cheshire last Saturday. Image: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Dozens of vigils are set to take place across the UK after 16-year-old trans student Brianna Ghey was fatally stabbed in Warrington on Saturday (February 11). 

A boy and a girl, both aged 15, have now been charged with Ghey’s murder, and will appear at Chester Magistrates’ Court in due course.

Police initially claimed there was no evidence that the trans student’s death was hate-related, despite reports that the teen was bullied at school, however on Tuesday (February 14), detectives said all lines of inquiry were “being explored”, including hate crime. 

Brianna Ghey. Image: Cheshire Police

Candlelit vigils were held in memory of the teen soon after her death, with an estimated 300 people gathering at a memorial event in Liverpool on Tuesday.

More than £88,000 has been donated to a fundraising page set up for Ghey’s family to aid with funeral costs, with the page claiming the 16-year-old was an “outgoing and confident girl” who “brought a lot of laughter to those who knew her”.

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Her family added in a statement: “Brianna was a much-loved daughter, granddaughter, and baby sister. 

“She was a larger-than-life character who would leave a lasting impression on all that met her. Brianna was beautiful, witty and hilarious. 

“The loss of her young life has left a massive hole in our family, and we know that the teachers and her friends who were involved in her life will feel the same.”

The organisation Stonewall Was a Riot has compiled the locations of several vigils across the UK and Ireland where people can pay their respects to Ghey and stand in solidarity with the trans community, with locations spanning the country.

Below are details of the candlelit vigils set up for the 16-year-old student. 

Wednesday 15th February 

  • Brighton – Victoria Gardens, Brighton, BN1 1WN, 6.30pm
  • London – Department for Education, 20 Great Smith Street, London, SW1P 3BT, 6pm
  • Manchester – Sackville Gardens, Manchester, 7pm
  • Dublin – The Spire, Dublin, 6pm
  • Belfast – Belfast City Hall, Donegall Square N, Belfast, BT1 5GS, 6pm
  • Cambridge – Parker’s Piece, Cambridge, 7pm
  • Warwick – Piazza, The University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7EQ, 5pm
  • Swansea – Castle Square, Swansea, 6pm

Thursday 16th February 

  • Glasgow – George Square, Glasgow, 7pm
  • Cardiff – Tree of Life, Gorsedd Gardens, Cardiff, 7pm
  • Sheffield – Peace Gardens, Sheffield, 8pm
  • Portsmouth – Portsmouth Cathedral, High Street, Old Portsmouth, PO1 2HA, 7.30pm
  • Edinburgh – Bristo Square, Edinburgh, 12pm

Friday 17th February 

  • York – St Helen’s Square, York, 6pm
  • Birmingham – Hippodrome Theatre, Hurst Street, Southside, Birmingham, B5 4TB, 6.30pm
  • Nottingham – Brian Clough Statue, Speakers Corner, Nottingham, 7pm
  • Southampton – The Peace Fountain, Queen’s Peace Park, Southampton, 6pm

Saturday 18th February 

  • London – Soho Square, London, 3pm
  • Leeds – Park Square, Leeds, 3pm
  • Reading – Forbury Gardens, Reading, 7pm
  • Newcastle – Times Square, Newcastle, 6pm
  • Aberdeen – Marischal College, Broad Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1AB, 5pm

Sunday 19th February 

  • Oxford – Radcliffe Square, Oxford, 6pm
  • Norwich – City Hall, St Peters Street, Norwich, NR2 1NH, 1pm

Monday 20th February 

  • Bath – Minerva’s Temple, Sydney Gardens, Bath, BA1 2YA, 6pm

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