Kink.com orders brutal police attack against trans and queer activists during SF Pride

Kink.com orders brutal police attack against trans and queer activists during SF Pride


For Immediate Release: June 29, 2014

contact: gayshamesf [at] yahoo.com


Kink.com orders brutal police attack against trans and queer activists during SF Pride


San Francisco's Mission District – Three trans and/or queer people of color remain in custody on trumped up charges following a protest against a prison-themed Kink.com party.


At least seven people were initially arrested including a National Lawyers' Guild Legal Observer; several protesters were clubbed,tackled, bloodied, and beaten after a protest numbering several hundred marched to the Armory at 14th and Mission Streets in the Mission District,from a 10 p.m. gathering at the 16th Street BART Station. Four of the arrestees have been released.


According to witnesses a Kink.com security guard followed the protesters back to 16th street and approximately 30 minutes after the protest ended began targeting people who were casually standing on the sidewalk getting ready to return home. The arrests and police violence were reportedly in retribution for the night's protest.


“Like the Stonewall rebellion 45 years ago, last night’s attack reminds us how trans and queer people of color are criminalized and arrested for simply gathering in public space, like the 16th St.BART plaza,” said Mary Lou Ratchet, a Gay Shame (http://www.gayshamesf.org)representative. The march was organized by Gay Shame and LAGAI (http://www.lagai.org).


Organizers are asking supports to call both District Attorney George Gascón (415553-1751) and Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi (415554 7225) and demand their immediate release and that all charges against Rebecca Ruiz-Lichter, Prisca Carpenter, and Sarai Robles-Mendezare dropped.