Pocono News Section

Prayer Service Held to Unite Torn Community

Prayer Service Held to Unite Torn Community - Sunday, August 10, 2008 at 11:25PM EST

Reported by: Eyewitness News
Sunday, Aug 10, 2008 @ 11:25pm EST
SHENANDOAH, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY- People in Schuylkill County remembered a hate crime victim Sunday afternoon. A group of teenagers beat Luis Ramirez to death in Shenandoah last month. He was a 25-year-old illegal immigrant from Mexico.

Witnesses say the teens beat him while yelling racial slurs. The kids have been charged and now the community is divided. That's why some of the victim's friends and family hosted this prayer service.

About 25 people gathered at the First United Methodist Church in Shenandoah. The minister and the victim's fiancé say they were disappointed with the turnout. “I thought more people would come here. There’s not a lot of people but I guess the town is torn more apart now than before,” said the victim’s fiancée, Crystal Dillman.

Minister Julian Milewski added, “If we don't do something it might get worse. We would like to avoid that. I think if we start an open dialogue, get both sides talking, get the truth out there, it might get better.”

The murder has attracted nationwide attention because illegal immigration is such a hot topic.