Trans activists demonstrated outside a new Harry Potter shop in London, where they chanted slogans about their so-called struggles.
Video footage posted on social media shows a group of protesters gathering outside the shop on Oxford Street on Wednesday, carrying placards bearing the slogans ‘Protect Trans Lives’ and ‘Stop funding trans erasure’.
The protesters could be heard shouting through megaphones: “Trans rights! Gay rights! One struggle! One fight!”
There was no large turnout for the demonstration. Only 16 activists turned up.
Trans rights protesters gather outside the new #HarryPotter shop in London.
A group of around 16 demonstrators gathered outside the shop on Oxford Street, carrying signs reading “protect trans lives” and “stop funding trans erasure.”
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The protesters urged Harry Potter fans to avoid visiting the flagship store, as LGBTQ activists have in recent years accused J.K. Rowling of hate speech due to her public support for the biological definition of gender.
Among other things, we have seen people setting fire to Rowling’s books, just as the Nazis did with books they did not like.
Nevertheless, the queue of Harry Potter customers stretched all the way round the block, and customers went into the shop regardless, paying little heed to the demonstration, according to Variety.
“Given the influence J.K. Rowling has on transgender rights, it would be disappointing if transgender people weren’t here to make their voices heard,” a transgender activist told the magazine.
“I think, unfortunately, it is largely J.K. Rowling who has the greatest influence on people’s lives. People aren’t aware of that, and that’s why we’re here today.”
