Rally supports survivor of anti-trans attack

By Andre Powell
Rosedale, Md.

Nearly 300 people rallied April 25 in front of a Rosedale, Md., McDonald’s restaurant, which was the site of a vicious attack on a transgender woman several days before. The rally numbers made it the largest event to date in Baltimore County, Md., in support of the lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender/queer community.

Chrissy Polis, age 22, was brutally attacked by two females as she came out of the women’s restroom. The attack was captured on video by a McDonald’s employee, who posted it on the internet. The video was later picked up by several news media. The video showed the two repeatedly kick Polis as she lay on the floor and then drag her across the floor by her hair. The attack caused Polis to go into epileptic seizures.

As employees watched and laughed, one lone woman, Vicki Thoms, attempted to pull the attackers off of Polis. Thoms herself was struck several times in the face. After the attack went on for 10 minutes, the manager finally intervened to stop it.

The crowd at the rally was broad-based and multinational. One woman came from as far away as Gettysburg, Pa. Speaking at the rally were Polis’ mother and twin brother, who thanked Thoms for stepping in and helping Polis when no one else did. Thoms told the crowd she did not know why it was happening, but she knew it had to be stopped.

Several Black community members and allies addressed the crowd, including Sherry Rawls, founding director of Trans-United in Baltimore; the Rev. Meredith Moise; and radio personality Anthony McCarthy. Maura Keiseling, head of the National Center for Transgender Equality in Washington, D.C., also spoke