HUNDREDS of people gathered in Glasgow on Thursday night to attend a vigil in honour of Brianna Ghey.
A video on social media showed a large group standing in the city's George Square holding a moment's silence for the teenage girl.
Scott Cuthbertson, manager of the Equality Network who tweeted the video, said: "A large turnout and sombre atmosphere here at the Glasgow vigil for Brianna Ghey with more people arriving every minute. In the silence there is resolve. We must #ProtectTransKids."
A large turnout and somber atmosphere here at the Glasgow vigil for Brianna Ghey with more people arriving every minute. In the silence there is resolve. We must #ProtectTransKids 🏳️⚧️ pic.twitter.com/LYvmkN4s2o
— Scott Cuthbertson (@ScotCuthbertson) February 16, 2023
Vigils in memory of Ghey, a transgender girl, have been held across the country, with more planned over the weekend, including in her home town of Warrington.
Police said the family of the 16-year-old have been “overwhelmed” by “support, positivity and compassion” from across the country.
Vigils in memory of Brianna Ghey are taking place across Scotland. Glasgow - Thursday 16th Feb, 7pm, George Square Edinburgh - Friday 17th Feb, 12 noon, Bristo Square Inverness - Saturday 18th Feb, 12 noon, Falcon Square Aberdeen - Saturday 18th Feb, 5pm, Marischal College pic.twitter.com/hLCSewCc0b
— Trans Pride Scotland (@TransPrideScot) February 15, 2023
Ghey, from Birchwood in Warrington, Cheshire, was found with fatal stab wounds on a path in Culcheth Linear Park shortly after 3pm on Saturday.
A boy and girl, both aged 15, have been charged with her murder and appeared via videolink at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday where a trial date was fixed for July.
Detective Chief Inspector Adam Waller thanked the community of Culcheth for its support and said officers had been “inundated” with information.
Enormous crowd of mourners gathered in rainy Glasgow's George Square tonight to honour Brianna Ghey. pic.twitter.com/UJ93DvDxzh
— Ruth Pearce is on strike (@NotRightRuth) February 16, 2023
He said: “I know that the family have also been overwhelmed by the messages of support, positivity and the compassion across the country and beyond – and the thoughts of everyone at the constabulary remain firmly with them.”
The girl, from Warrington, and boy, from Leigh, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were charged with Brianna’s murder on Wednesday.
At the hearing on Thursday, they appeared on separate videolinks from youth detention accommodation and were both accompanied by an adult.
The teenagers spoke to confirm their names and dates of birth.
The girl’s parents and the boy’s mother were in the public gallery for the hearing, which lasted just under half an hour, and both mothers appeared tearful.
Judge David Aubrey KC fixed a trial date for July 10, with the case expected to last about three weeks.
He remanded them both into youth detention accommodation ahead of a plea and trial preparation hearing on May 2.
