Candle-lit vigil for James Parkes
Speaking at the vigil Mr Downey said: “I’m really pleased the T-shirts look good and stand out to give my message, which is Jay’s too.
“He loves the T-shirts and is here with us tonight in sprit. We’re both still so overwhelmed with the support we have received and I can’t believe how many people are here tonight.
“It shows how important it is to all members of the community to get rid of hate crime – to show it is not acceptable.
“It’s hard to be back on Stanley Street, I feel sick to my stomach but I'm trying to rise above it.
“The attack on us won’t stop us from going out on Stanley Street. Why should it?”
Labour Cllr Paul Brant said of the event: “It is a testament to the spirit of not only Liverpool’s gay community but to the city as a whole that this vigil has been organised within a week. People needed a way to express their feelings after what happened to James in a dignified and appropriate manner.”
Twelve youths have been arrested and released on police bail.
