Georgetown Rallies Against Hate-Crime

About 50 Georgetown University students attended a rally on campus on Friday after a student was attacked last week, allegedly because of her perceived sexual orientation.

The assault occurred about 9:10 p.m. Tuesday, according to the university's Department of Public Safety, reports The Washington Post.

A female student wearing a pro-gay rights T-shirt was walking on Canal Road near the entrance to Georgetown's campus when she was confronted by two men who shouted antigay insults at her. The men proceeded to grab her book bag, push her to the ground, and strike her with the bag.

The student targeted in the attack suffered minor injuries, but she did not require medical attention.

GU Pride organized a rally in less than 24 hours via Facebook, Twitter, text message, and e-mail. According to students who attended on Friday, antigay harassment is common on campus and at college parties. "This stuff happens all the time," said sophomore Markus Brazill to The Washington Post, "but a lot of us are afraid of reporting it."

The assailants, described as white males in their late 20s, are still at large.

The university has turned over the initial report to District police because the alleged assault occurred off campus and therefore outside the school's jurisdiction.