The Kansas City Anti-Violence Project was shocked and saddened to learn of the assault and arrest of a peaceful protester at a school-sponsored hate rally at the University of Missouri – Kansas City Thursday night, April 11, 2019. According to witness accounts, all protesters outside and within the auditorium where the hate speech was held were behaving disruptively, though peacefully and non-violently. One protester, a trans woman of color who uses she/ her pronouns, was seen to be carrying a brightly colored water gun, and was tackled by law enforcement officers. In a video released to the press, the protester is seen on the ground beneath two uniformed officers. Though she in no way act aggressive towards the officers and continues to be under their control, the officers acted excessively in subduing the protester. It is impossible to deny the additional fear and trauma that was deliberately inflicted when one officer uses a taser and appears to place it at the base of the protester’s skull before the other officer uses his leg to put his full body weight on her neck. In this case, we see another instance in which those who are targeted by hate are further victimized by systems which profess to value and protect all in its care. Violence is the experience of trauma, and for individuals with marginalized identities, traumatic violence comes in the forms of discrimination, harassment, hate speech, and acts of hate violence. For LGBTQ individuals, especially trans people and specifically trans women of color, these are daily occurrences, and our communities are without the unwavering protection of the criminal justice and educational systems; these systems perpetuate violence against us. Sadly, this is one of many examples of violence experienced by many the night of April 11th. We will using this platform to provide supporters, and allies a chance to support these victims. Please donate all that you can, to assist these survivors with support services, legal aid, and safe housing alternatives. Many of them have been harmed beyond physical means, and are in need of emotional support as well! We hope you help spread the word, and share this across as any channels you can find! Please help us end the silence around intentional hate violence! Thank you.
