London: Protest planned for trans woman allegedly mocked by police in Soho
Protest Transphobia are planning to stage a demonstration on Saturday at 2pm outside Charing Cross Police Station in reponse to the alleged unethical treatment of a trans woman who was arrested in Soho last week.
Mr Johnson, a witness to the attack who preferred to be identified only by his surname, reported: “The victim then had her wig ripped from her head, her handbag and purse literally emptied out on the road, so her personal belongings were damaged and scattered around her.
“Police officers mocked her for her dress and having feminine items in her handbag, shouting at her: ‘You’re not normal! We’ll let you get up in a few minutes but you need to act like a normal human being.'”
The attack is reported to have continued with painful and excessive force being used on the victim as a crowd gathered.
Protest Transphobia member and co-organiser Fathias Yanez said: “The attack on Ms Santos fills me with despair. Why is transphobia still acceptable? Will we ever be treated as humans and be safe? We are resisting transphobia!”
Police representatives will meet with the Protest Transphobia group at 3pm to state their position and discuss the group’s concerns.
A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police Service said: “This is being investigated by the Directorate of Professional Standards. Total Policing is the Met’s commitment to be on the streets and in your communities to catch offenders, prevent crime and support victims. We are here for London, working with you to make our capital safer.”
