TRANSGENDER ACTIVISTS AND ALLIES TO HOLD PRESS CONFERENCE IN RESPONSE TO BRUTAL POLICE ATTACK AT SRLP FUNDRAISER

June Brown
june@srlp.org
Office: (212) 337-8550 x303

On Wednesday, September 26, 2007, officers from the New York Police Department’s 9th precinct made an unprovoked attack, employing excessive use of force against members of the Sylvia Rivera Law Project and other community members. While pepper-spraying a group of people who were gathered outside of a celebration and benefit for the organization’s five year anniversary, the police also violently arrested two people from the crowd, Ileana Mendez-Penate and Reina Gossett. These two people were released the following night, and all charges were dropped.

A press conference will be held on Monday, October 1st @ 2pm on the front steps of New York City Hall in Lower Manhattan. We at The Sylvia Rivera Law Project would like to thank all the local elected officials and their staffers, especially Rosie Mendez and her staff, who had a hand in the eventual release of the two detainees.

WHO: Community members and Allies of the Sylvia Rivera Law Project, including the two arrestees, Reggie Gossett and Ileana Mendez-Penate.
WHAT: A press conference on the steps of New York City Hall.
WHEN:2:00 pm, Monday October 1, 2007.
WHERE: On the Steps of New York City Hall, in City Hall Park between Broadway, Park Row and Chambers Street.
WHY: By holding this press conference, transgender activists and allies prepare to send the message that excessive unprovoked police force and false arrests by the 9th precinct or any other precinct will not be tolerated.