A disturbing video that spread across social media shows Iyanna, a Black trans woman, being attacked by a group of men inside a convenience store in Minneapolis on Monday night. Reports say the attack followed an alleged fender bender, though the exact cause had not been disclosed at the time of publication.
In the video, Iyanna is punched and kicked inside the store and then taken outside. Reports say she managed to get away and went behind the store counter, where onlookers stood between her and the group. Some reports put the number of men involved at more than 20.
After the attack, Iyanna posted a video on Facebook saying she was doing okay. She said she had minor injuries to her head and teeth, along with swelling and bruising.
Several well known Black trans women and allies have spoken out since the video surfaced. On Wednesday, June 3, Janet Mock, an executive producer of the series Pose, tweeted that Iyanna was brutally attacked while a crowd looked on, and she gave a shout out to the one person who tried to step in. Activist Raquel Willis tweeted about the attack and said it is a reminder that Black lives matter must include Black trans lives. Actress Amiyah Scott also tweeted her disgust at the video, saying people need to do better, especially now, while the country is protesting for racial justice.
Vox noted that the Black trans community faces a heightened risk of violence. According to its reporting, about 26 transgender or gender nonconforming people were killed violently last year, and 91 percent of them were Black trans women.
Baller Alert is wishing Iyanna a safe and healthy recovery.
