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Huerta vigil vastly different than previous gatherings

Wednesday evening's vigil for Jesus "Chuy" Huerta was vastly different than previous events in the teenager's name.

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DURHAM, N.C. — Wednesday evening's vigil for Jesus "Chuy" Huerta was vastly different than previous events in the teenager's name.

A small group gathered at the corner of West Trinity Avenue and Foster Street to place flowers, candles and a picture of the 17-year-old in a heart shape. It is where Huerta was picked up by police on a trespassing charge, they said.

The gathering was the first since the Durham City Council adopted new rules for demonstrations in the city after three violent marches over the teen's death.

Huerta died shortly after his Nov. 19 arrest. Authorities said he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the face while he was in the back of a patrol car with his hands cuffed behind his back.

Huerta's family has questioned the Durham Police Department's explanation of his death and has called for a federal investigation of possible civil rights violations.

Those upset over Huerta's death have clashed with Durham police three times in recent months. A police substation and patrol cars have been vandalized, and police have said officers had bottles and rocks thrown at them by masked demonstrators.

The new rules bar protesters from Durham Police Department property, including parking lots and grass around buildings. They also prohibit people from wearing masks, hoods or otherwise concealing their identities during a demonstration and from using fireworks or other pyrotechnics during a march.

Future protests also must be held during daylight hours and only after organizers have obtained a city permit.

 

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