Daniela Hernandez was attacked in McArthur Park.

On Sunday October 4th, Daniela Hernandez, a 42 year-old transgender woman, was stabbed 16 times in McArthur Park in Los Angeles.

The attack, which is being labelled a hate crime, was carried out by a group who claimed to not want “gays” in the public park. According to the TransLatin@ Coalition’s press release, Daniela was walking on the street when she was attacked by a group of people who stabbed her and slit her throat.

Hernandez survived the attack and is recovering after her surgery.

Despite the efforts of Hernandez and other transgender activists and community leaders, the instances of violence against transwomen of color have continued to rise this year at an alarming rate. In 2020 alone, at least 31 transgender and gender non-conforming people have been killed, including Felycya Harris, a Black, transgender woman, who was fatally shot in Augusta, Georgia earlier this week.

As the presidential election draws near and demands for police reform grow louder, one thing is clear: the conversation around marginalized communities must include transwomen of color like Deniela Hernandez, who can be attacked with impunity simply for daring to exist.


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