Councilman Tom Simplot will host a candlelight vigil at 6:15 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, at Cielito Park, 3402 W. Campbell Ave., to honor the memory of murdered gay youth Maurice Dupree Green. Green, also known as “Melissa,” was fatally shot on March 21, 2006 as he walked northbound on 35th and Glenrosa avenues dressed as a woman.

The community is invited to attend the vigil, which will be held a few blocks from where Green was shot. “We must honor the memory of Maurice and remind people that hate crimes will not be tolerated in this community,” said Simplot.

The vigil is sponsored by the Phoenix Police Department, GLBT Police Advisory Board, ‘N Touch News, Off Chute Too, Equality Arizona and Simplot.

Green’s murder is still unsolved, so anyone with information about his murder should contact Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS or toll free at 1-800-343-TIPS. A cash reward of $2,000 is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of the suspected killer. For more information about the vigil, contact Megan Schmitz with the District 4 office at 602-262-4830.