Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee transgender woman killed, community demands change
MILWAUKEE – Mourners on Friday celebrated Cashay Henderson, the Black transgender girl killed in Milwaukee late final month, whereas preventing for others’ lives as properly.
Organizers of a vigil at Zao MKE Church mentioned it isn’t simply an LGBTQ or Black concern. They mentioned this must be a wakeup name for everybody to come back collectively and do what they will to create a protected area in life for everybody.
“Many people simply wish to dwell,” mentioned Imani Sloan, founding father of La Femme.
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What seems like a easy ask is just not a assure. Black transgender girl can simply place themselves in Henderson’s sneakers.
“The identical folks which may not want one in all us properly have entry to lots of us,” mentioned Elle Halo, founding father of Trans Consulting.
“I’m saddened. I’m not shocked, and for me, it simply kicked into, ‘We have now to battle,’” Sloan mentioned.
Cordell Howze, 33, of Neenah is charged with capturing and killing Henderson.
“I feel it undoubtedly makes all of us query our security and place and worth in the neighborhood,” mentioned Halo.
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Inside the previous 9 months in Milwaukee, Brazil Johnson, Mya Allen, two Black transgender ladies, had been additionally killed.
“Cashay was two years youthful than me. All these ladies died again to again to again,” Halo mentioned.
Now, organizers of Friday’s vigil are demanding broad change from leaders.
Vigil for Cashay Henderson at Zao MKE Church
“By way of making {that a} coverage resolution, making {that a} systemic change,” mentioned Halo. “Precise coverage in direction of anti-trans violence, (a) ahead response from authorities officers, from metropolis officers.”
Statistics present transgender individuals are more likely to be victims of violence – particularly Black transgender ladies.
“We’re human beings identical to everybody else, that we damage, bleed, snicker, cry,” mentioned Sloan.
Sloan added that they will not cease preventing to maintain folks from being killed – but additionally to make sure they will actually dwell.
Vigil for Cashay Henderson at Zao MKE Church
“It’s focused violence,” Sloan mentioned. “We deserve area on this nation to dwell these goals out, free from violence, free from transphobia and simply free from racism.”
Organizers mentioned they’re additionally preventing for funding to assist the transgender neighborhood, and for a cease to folks being misgendered in media and by authorities.
MPD initially reported Henderson’s demise utilizing her delivery intercourse.
“The Milwaukee Police Division respects all individuals inclusively,” MPD mentioned in an announcement on the time. “On this occasion, primarily based upon data out there to MPD on the time, it was decided to establish the decedent by delivery intercourse. MPD is dedicated to fostering a constructive relationship with the LGBTQIA+ Group.”
Milwaukee police issued this assertion after fees had been filed towards Howze:
“The Milwaukee Police Division (MPD) is pleased with all of the arduous work of everybody concerned in bringing fees towards Howze for the murder of Cashay. His arrest represents one step ahead in delivering justice to Cashay and reassuring the neighborhood, particularly the LGBTQIA+ Group, that MPD is dedicated to serving all individuals inclusively. The Milwaukee Police Division sends our condolences to Cashay’s household and family members, the LGBTQIA+ Group, and all members of the general public that had been impacted by this tragic incident.”