South Asian transgender woman says motorcyclist deliberately struck her in San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO – Anjali Rimi says as a South Asian transgender girl she isn’t any stranger to hate. She’s recovering from accidents she mentioned she suffered after being intentionally struck by a motorcyclist in San Francisco. 

“I really feel very violated and upset,” mentioned Rimi, her arm now wrapped in a forged.

The assault occurred round 11:30 p.m. Saturday on Fourth and Mission streets. That is when she mentioned somebody on a bike sped towards her and hit her. 

She had parked her automobile within the Mission Road storage and was crossing the road within the crosswalk going to a resort when she heard a motorcyclist revving his bike and beginning to pace towards her. 

“He hit me so laborious, I couldn’t really feel the fitting aspect of my physique,” Rimi mentioned.

Rimi suspects how she was dressed, as a South Asian girl, made her a goal as a result of there have been different individuals strolling close by.

“This particular person noticed me and one thing sparked of their thoughts. They got here at me as a result of they’d some Asian hate inbuilt them,” mentioned Rimi.

 No phrases have been exchanged. She mentioned the impression tore the straps of her purse and that the motorcyclist made no makes an attempt to take her purse whereas he slowed down for about 10 seconds earlier than dashing off.

Investigators with San Francisco Police Division are searching for surveillance video within the space.  

Police mentioned at this level there isn’t a proof of a hate crime and that the assault is being investigated as an tried theft. The investigation stays open.

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“As of proper now we’ve got no direct proof that it is a prejudice-based incident.  Often the bar for that’s pretty excessive. Now we have to have proof that the suspect mentioned one thing,” mentioned SFPD Officer Kathryn Winters. 

Rimi shared video of her at a transgender group occasion shortly earlier than the assault. She mentioned she’s pleased with her activism work, for which she’s acquired recognition for by state lawmakers.

Rimi, 42, mentioned she has a message for the motorcyclist: “For a minute or two you made me really feel unsafe in a metropolis that’s so near my coronary heart, has given me life, has given me a platform.  You did not win in taking my energy and braveness. I will be OK.”

Rimi mentioned her physician advised her she ought to make a full restoration from her injured arm in a month or two.