Transgender community holds vigil at Tower District

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The transgender community and their allies held a rally and march Friday night in the Fresno Tower District.

A group called Trans-E-Motion organized the event in honor of the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance. Their hope is to remember the lives lost in the Central Valley, the United States and the world.

They are also working to move forward through education, outreach, and activism. Organizers said they've experienced a growing number of people interested in supporting their cause recently.

"The past couple of weeks I think we've seen a real surge in people who really want to do something protect the people that we love," vice chair of Trans E-Motion Jess Fitzpatrick said.

On Sunday, the group is meeting again at 5 p.m. to hold a vigil. The names of those who have passed will be read and candles will be lit in their honor.

The group is meeting at the Big Red Church on Van Ness boulevard.