Roanoke 7, Inc.
Press Release
For Immediate Release
ROANOKE7, INC speaks to the guilty plea of Ronald Edward Gay
May 10, 2001 Ronald Edward Gay's guilty plea today in Roanoke General District Court
is a welcome relief to Roanoke7, a nationally known hate crime
organization who has been at the forefront of assisting the survivors and
keeping the memory of Danny Overstreet alive.
Roanoke7 has seen first hand, the hurt and sorrow one person's hate can
inflict upon the victims, survivors and indeed an entire community.
When Mr. Gay gunned down seven people at the Backstreet Cafe on September
22nd, he took the life of Danny Lee Overstreet and left six others
recuperating for months from the wounds. As of this date, some of
the survivors continue to suffer pain and torment because of this
senseless crime.
Mr. Gay not only destroyed Danny Overstreet, he destroyed his own
life. When individuals lash out in hatred at innocent people, they
too become a victim of their hatred. Mr. Gay has inflicted hurt and
pain upon his own family & friends, and those who loved him.
This entire incident should remind us all that our inner prejudices affect
our own families and loved ones. Once their evil deeds are done, they face
a lifetime dealing with the consequences. Mr. Gay will remember what
he did for the rest of his life and if justice is served, he will pay for
the rest of his life. We express our sympathy to Mr. Gay's family.
We do not blame them for what he has done. We do not blame the mental
health system for Mr. Gay's actions. We do not blame this community
for what he has done. We blame ignorance and stupidity!
This guilty plea today spares many of the survivors, the Overstreet
family, and our city a lot additional grief. We continue to
grieve for others who fall victims to hate and intolerance across the
United States. We will continue to work in this community to make
something good come from this incident. We are "Out to Change" the
way we relate to others as human beings. We ask this community to
get behind the Out to Change Center, a center dedicated to overcoming
prejudice and hate through music and the arts. The center will
open on May 19th at 6:30 pm.
The Roanoke community is a loving community. We thank each of you
who have spoken out, helped, and tried to show the better side of this
city. We ask that you continue to do that by joining us in a lasting
effort to overcome this. Our website, www.outtochange.org provides
more information about how this community can become involved in ending
hatred, furthering love, and ending suffering.
Eddie Ratliff/Director