San Francisco

Anti-Police Guideline Ahead of Trans March Stirs Controversy

Controversy is brewing with the Trans March in San Francisco even before activists hit the streets Friday.

A guideline for the march that instructs people not to talk to or thank police officers along the route was posted then removed Thursday.

The posting said "law enforcement is generally hostile towards trans people, particularly those who are black and brown. From harassment and abuse to violence and outright murder, law enforcement has not been a friend to our communities and many of our allies. Do not talk to them. Do not take selfies with them. Do not high-five them. Do not thank them."

Thousands of people are expected to participate in or watch the Trans March, which begins at 6 p.m. The route will be lined with police officers to ensure safety.

Transgender pastor Meghan Rohrer has volunteered with the Trans March and is a chaplain with the San Francisco Police Department. Rohrer wants the community to know it has support in the department.

"For the officers who volunteer at the Trans March because they are LGBTQ, because they want to support their own community, it means the world to them," Rohrer said.

The board of directors for the march posted the guidelines for the event. They said they were too busy Thursday night setting up for the event to comment on the guidelines, which were removed because of the level of backlash in response.

While the community marches for equal rights for all on Friday, Rohrer is hoping everyone can embrace a guideline of mutual respect.

"We need all the colors of the rainbow at our Pride celebrations, even the blue," Rohrer said.

March attendees are expected to start gathering at Dolores Park in the afternoon, hours before the march kicks off.

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