Hundreds of people gathered for a candlelight march and vigil in Humboldt Park to honor Puerto Rican hate crime victim Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado. The 19-year-old was found decapitated, dismembered and partially burned on Friday off a road in central Puerto Rico. His killer said he thought Jorge was a woman when he picked him up, and attacked the youth when he found out he was a man. At least one police officer was quoted after Jorge's body was found as saying that the youth 'deserved' it. Jorge was a beloved gay rights activist in Puerto Rico. People have been gathering across the Caribbean and North America to honor his memory -- and condemn homophobia.

Lopez was well-known for his volunteer activism on behalf of HIV prevention and gay rights. Vigils in his remembrance have been held all over the nation, including Puerto Rico, Washington D.C. and San Francisco.