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-- Protest March In Brussels Following Stabbing Over Mp3 Player

Protest March In Brussels Following Stabbing Over Mp3 Player

WOW!......

Thousands march for stabbed Brussels teen

24.04.06 1.20pm


BRUSSELS - More than 80,000 people marched in silence through Brussels today in memory of a teenager stabbed to death by two suspects of North African origin in Belgium's biggest protest in 10 years, police said.

Joe Van Holsbeeck, 17, was stabbed five times in the chest during the evening rush hour on April 12 when he refused to hand over his MP3 player to the men in the central railway station.

On the request of Van Holsbeeck's parents, marchers did not carry any political banners but Van Holsbeeck's death triggered an uproar over crime and racial tension in Belgium.

The federal prosecutor's office said on the basis of video footage from security cameras, two men of North African origin were suspected of carrying out the crime.

Leaders of the Muslim community in Brussels said they were disturbed by the stabbing and immams called at prayers for people to turn in the suspects if they knew who they were.

Representatives of North African communities in the capital took part in the silent protest, officials said.

Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt said the teenager's death should not go unpunished to send a signal to society that such crimes would not be tolerated.

Marchers queued up to lay a white rose or bunches of flowers as the march passed the Gare Centrale railway station.

Police said it was the country's biggest demonstration since around 300,000 people took part in the so-called White March in 1996 to commemorate the victims of paedophile Marc Dutroux and to protest against the slow-moving Belgian judicial system.

- REUTERS


......on a side-note ten years ago in my hometown (Belleville) a friend of ours in High School was killed in Florida - the city rallied together and raised money through multiple fund-raising events - elmentary school's took part in the grieving process with condolences of cards and artwork - city council prompted speakers to come to the schools and educate kids against violence and gun crime - and many other inititives......reading about this protest over this petty murder of a crime I couldn't help but remember and share his story as well.....R.I.P. Mark


Canadian Killed in Florida. Teen Sentenced to Life in Prison.

In Daytona Beach, a judge heeded the jury's recommendation and
sentenced John Rainey to life in prison yesterday for the murder of
Belleville teenager Mark Fyke.

In a hushed courtroom, the judge sentenced him to life without parole for 1st-degree murder and also to 18 years fo aggravated robbery, to be served concurrently.

Rainey was convicted last month of murdering the Belleville teen on the night of March 15, 1996. Fyke was on vacation in Florida, speaking to his mother from a beachside pay phone when he was surrounded by several young men. They forced Fyke to abruptly hang up the phone and demanded his wallet.

When Fyke took too long to comply, Rainey put a .38-caliber pistol to his head and pulled the trigger. Fyke had just $17 US on him. "I never got a chance to say goodbye to him," Christine Fyke said last month in a victim impact statement. "If I could have warned him, I would have."

District attorney Noah McKinnon told jurors Fyke's death had
devastated his family and sent his entire community into mourning.
"(Rainey) took a large part of her life," McKinnon said, pointing to
Fyke's mother.

"You heard how his death took a chunk out of the heart of his father. An entire city in Canada mourned his loss." 1 juror was so moved by Christine Fyke's statement he walked over to Fyke's best friend Che Guerrera, who was beside the Belleville teen when he died, and apologized on behalf of the American people. "Tell all of Canada we apologize," Raoul Alfonso said.

(source: Canadian Press)

your freind was on a Break Away Tours Trip right? i was on that same trip a couple of years later and they were warning us about it.

Re: Protest March In Brussels Following Stabbing Over Mp3 Player

quote:

Originally posted by Sean Cassidy WOW!...... Thousands march for stabbed Brussels teen 24.04.06 1.20pm BRUSSELS - More than 80,000 people marched in silence through Brussels today in memory of a teenager stabbed to death by two suspects of North African origin in Belgium's biggest protest in 10 years, police said. Joe Van Holsbeeck, 17, was stabbed five times in the chest during the evening rush hour on April 12 when he refused to hand over his MP3 player to the men in the central railway station. On the request of Van Holsbeeck's parents, marchers did not carry any political banners but Van Holsbeeck's death triggered an uproar over crime and racial tension in Belgium. The federal prosecutor's office said on the basis of video footage from security cameras, two men of North African origin were suspected of carrying out the crime. Leaders of the Muslim community in Brussels said they were disturbed by the stabbing and immams called at prayers for people to turn in the suspects if they knew who they were. Representatives of North African communities in the capital took part in the silent protest, officials said. Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt said the teenager's death should not go unpunished to send a signal to society that such crimes would not be tolerated. Marchers queued up to lay a white rose or bunches of flowers as the march passed the Gare Centrale railway station. Police said it was the country's biggest demonstration since around 300,000 people took part in the so-called White March in 1996 to commemorate the victims of paedophile Marc Dutroux and to protest against the slow-moving Belgian judicial system. - REUTERS ......on a side-note ten years ago in my hometown (Belleville) a friend of ours in High School was killed in Florida - the city rallied together and raised money through multiple fund-raising events - elmentary school's took part in the grieving process with condolences of cards and artwork - city council prompted speakers to come to the schools and educate kids against violence and gun crime - and many other inititives......reading about this protest over this petty murder of a crime I couldn't help but remember and share his story as well.....R.I.P. Mark Canadian Killed in Florida. Teen Sentenced to Life in Prison. In Daytona Beach, a judge heeded the jury's recommendation and sentenced John Rainey to life in prison yesterday for the murder of Belleville teenager Mark Fyke.

May they both R.I.P

I remember this event like it was yesterday....my cousins were in Florida they're older than i am and were there for march break and they both described it as "heartbreaking" too sad...then everytime I passed Belleville on my way to uni in Kingston i would see the Hill (the "BELLEVILLE" hill) and say a lil prayer for him!

I am very glad at the decision of the Belgian Prime minister...there should be no tolerance in crimes such as the above two! We are all trying to live in a civilized society and no one should have the right to do this to others and if they do they should be punished.

Very sad news on both accounts...

Thats really amazing in Brussels though... having THAT many ppl involved in a silent protest and with no up-rising or anything..

I'm very sorry to hear what happened to your friend..

Nikki

there they deport the criminals...

in canada we deport the hard working construction workers and give the criminals refugee status..

Ill never figure this place out..

quote:

Originally posted by Jayx1 there they deport the criminals... in canada we deport the hard working construction workers and give the criminals refugee status.. Ill never figure this place out..

dont forget the whole FREE legal aid thing either

quote:

Originally posted by Jayx1 there they deport the criminals... in canada we deport the hard working construction workers and give the criminals refugee status.. Ill never figure this place out..

Its good to have you back Jay!

I missed your posts

Jem

quote:

Originally posted by Carney your freind was on a Break Away Tours Trip right? i was on that same trip a couple of years later and they were warning us about it.

yep - those bus tours....I am not surprised they were giving warning for years after

Mark Fyke, a Belleville, Ontario, high school student and avid hockey player, was visiting on a tour bus with other Canadian students.

Fyke was killed during a time when many Florida tourists were being
gunned down at rest stops, gas stations and other locations.

Fyke and Guerrera were talking to their mothers at pay phones the night before their tour bus was scheduled to leave. After Guerrera hung up, a group of teenage boys surrounded Fyke while he was still talking, police said.

Rainey stuck a gun into Fyke's back and demanded his money, eyewitnesses testified at the trial. When Fyke didn't immediately respond he placed the gun to his neck.

Fyke hung up the phone, a few words were exchanged and the gun went off killing the teen, witnesses said. The .38-caliber revolver was found at Fyke's feet.

Police tagged Rainey as the killer. William Schmidt, of Astor,
and Scott Russell Malone, co-defendants in the case, testified against Rainey.

Malone and Schmidt have pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of attempted armed robbery with a weapon and await sentencing.

During closing arguments Tuesday morning, Tinsley called the other teens "7 lying little punks" who pointed the finger at Rainey to save their own lives.

During closing arguments, Assistant State Attorney Noah McKinnon placed the gun, Fyke's wallet and some dollar bills on a railing before the jury.

"That's what John Rainey killed Mark Fyke to get -- $17," McKinnon said.


"PUNKS" IS RIGHT - SUCH A WASTE OF LIFE!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Jem_hadar Its good to have you back Jay! I missed your posts Jem

heheh thanks...

Sad stories the both of them.

quote:

Originally posted by Nikitha Thats really amazing in Brussels though... having THAT many ppl involved in a silent protest and with no up-rising or anything.. Nikki

now that's respect for the deceased.

quote:

PUNKS" IS RIGHT - SUCH A WASTE OF LIFE!!!

+1

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