• ELIXHER
• On November 19, 2013

On November 19, 2013, trans women of color are joining the broader community to demand justice for Islan Nettles, a trans woman of color who was brutally beaten to death in August 2013 by an attacker motivated by transphobic hatred. According to police, the brazen attack took place at the corner of W. 148th and Frederick Douglass Blvd, literally across the street from NYPD’s PSA 6 police station, in full view of multiple surveillance cameras.

Photo courtesy of NY Daily News

Nearly three months later, no one has been charged with the murder of Islan Nettles. Paris Wilson, whom police said they pulled off Ms. Nettles at the scene of the crime, has so far been charged only with a misdemeanor - and was swiftly released on $2000 bond after his initial arrest. (http://bit.ly/15B951E) Today, at 2:15pm, Paris Wilson will face his second day in court since arraignment - and in court he will also face trans women of color, the Nettles family, and supporters outraged by the impunity with which Islan Nettles was murdered.

“Islan Nettles was a vibrant soul taken away too soon. Her life will not be in vain,” says Lourdes Ashley Hunter, Community Organizer & Co-Founder of Trans Women of Color Collective (TWOCC) of Greater New York. “I want to let the NYPD, NYC District Attorney and those who engage in hate violence know, we will not be silent, we will not stand by while countless trans youth are murdered without recourse.”

“I’m very angry. Especially after spending time with Islan’s mother, I realize how senseless this killing was. It was a waste of a great, talented life,” says Madison St. Claire, Executive Board Member of the Trans Women of Color Collective (TWOCC).

“As a survivor of a violent assault, I know what a struggle it can be to get justice in New York City. Despite my advocacy, not one of my attackers was charged - and I was almost treated by the police as though I asked for the assault to happen to me,” says Madison. “Now, the same thing may happen in the Islan Nettles case — and that sends the message that trans women of color are disposable — that our lives don’t matter.”

“As a young trans woman of color, this makes me feel like I could be subject to being savagely beaten to death as well,” says TWOCC Ambassador Daniella Carter. “What is this telling other young trans woman? If you die, no one will be brought to justice?” asks Daniella, 19.

“The lack of movement by the District Attorney’s office in this case also sends a clear message to perpetrators of anti-trans violence: you can get away with murdering trans folk in NYC,” says Lourdes, “We intend to send our own message to the NYPD and to the DA’s office: trans lives matter!”

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