OTTAWA — As Ottawa police raised a flag at their downtown headquarters in tribute to Saturday’s Transgender Day of Remembrance, two activists were arrested when they tried to hang a sign from a highway overpass.
“The police were trying to block our messaging, block us from standing up and saying our communities aren’t represented by the police,” said Taiva Tegler, who was on the overpass with about 15 other people. “We need to remember that these communities continue to he harassed, assaulted, humiliated, beaten and murdered.”
The transgender activists were arrested on Saturday afternoon for mischief after they hung a “Remember Stonewall?” banner on the overpass. The Stonewall riots in New York City in 1969 began the gay rights movement in the United States.
As many as 50 people who participated in the day’s observances crowded the police station lobby to support the two arrested.
Dan Irving, co-ordinator of the sexuality studies program at Carleton University, was among the crowd at the police station. Police allowed him to speak to the two arrested, who said they would be kept at the police station overnight because they refused to give their names.
Irving said he hopes the arrests don’t take away from the purpose of the day, which is held every Nov. 20 in cities around the world, to remember those who have been killed due to transgender hatred or prejudice.
Amanda Ryan, who helped organize the event, said Ottawa police have become the first organization in Canada to officially recognize Transgender Day of Remembrance.
Staff Sgt. John Medeiros said sensitivity training is provided for all recruits. He said Saturday’s event was a good way to create awareness and encourage people to people hate crimes.
“The trans community is a marginalized community — there is already a challenge in getting people to report,” Medeiros said. “It makes perfect sense that we would be involved in supporting victims.”
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