Safe skating in Miami Beach – solidarity action for victims of attacks – NBC 6 South Florida

After a woman was sexually assaulted while rollerblading in Miami Beach last week, the skate community is uniting. They are also showing solidarity with other victims and pushing for change.

According to Miami Beach police, Keith Hill sexually assaulted a woman last Tuesday while she was rollerblading on the 23rd Street boardwalk.

Police shared surveillance images in hopes someone might recognize him. A few days later, Hollywood police said their officers found him in Hollywood. Investigators said Hill was a wanted sex offender in Chicago.

On Saturday, the skate community reclaimed the boardwalk with a solidarity safe skate event. Dozens of people skated up and down the boardwalk to help the woman and other victims of sexual assault.

“We have every right to be angry, but our reactions must be used instead of calming down,” said Vik Pagan. “We should not have to go to the barricades and look for pepper spray, batons or stun guns because our autonomy is suddenly violated because we have no space or the few spaces we have left are stolen in the middle of the night.”

“We may not know her, we may not know if we know her, but by sharing this hobby, this space and this togetherness, she is one of us,” Amanda said. “To see that joy taken away from someone was devastating for the whole community.”

Some of the skaters say they would like to see changes in the area in the future.

“Just one extra light can make a huge difference,” said Paula Perez.

Paula Perez said she had been ice skating in the area before and was also the victim of a sexual assault.

“I know what it feels like to be alone and not have community, and I just went to my community and said that’s okay, and I hope everyone feels the same way, and they do,” Perez said. “You should be able to use it anytime you want, however you want, and be safe here.”

Hill was also arrested for failing to register as a sex offender (for which he was convicted in Illinois) and for providing authorities with a false identification.