Trans March organizers met with San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie to present a letter of demands regarding two incidents of policing and the arrest of five people at their event during Pride weekend. The meeting was described as receptive, but no official commitments have been issued.

Demands and Response

Organizers published demands last week, asking the district attorney’s office to drop charges against four Trans March participants who were arrested on Friday, June 26, and to replace police officers at future Trans Marches with civilian traffic management. The mayor’s office proposed increased cultural sensitivity training for police officers, but organizers noted that such trainings are no longer required for members of the San Francisco Police Department.

The arrests at the Trans March were made after police said that those arrested were suspected of covering security cameras with paint and spray painting several statues along the route of the march. Four of those arrested were charged with offenses that include felony vandalism, resisting arrest, and battery of a police officer.

Community Response

The mood of the crowd of around 50 to 100 supporters that gathered on the steps of San Francisco City Hall after the meeting was upbeat, with people cheering and hugging. Organizers said that the show of support from those gathered outside mattered, and that they will continue to put pressure on the city to meet their demands.

Original reporting: Mission Local — read the source article.