On Wednesday, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner held a press conference to announce that an arrest warrant had been issued in the murder of Mar’Quis ‘MJ’ Jackson, a Black trans man and activist who was found dead on December 14, 2023. Jackson’s murder, along with that of another Black trans woman, Shahere “Diamond” Jackson-McDonald, three weeks earlier, has once again brought to the forefront the violence and discrimination that trans individuals, particularly those of color, continue to face.
Krasner was joined at the press conference by activists, family members, and victims, who came together to bring greater awareness of violence against the transgender community. Charles Mitchell, 40, will be charged with the murder of Jackson, who had turned 33 only two days earlier. Authorities say Jackson was alive in the yard for up to 12 hours after suffering the fatal blow before he died and may have been in the yard the entire time he was missing.
- Advertisement -
Both victims were remembered fondly at the press conference, and authorities promised justice for their killers. Krasner also warned that bigoted criminals are not welcome in the city. In addition to the murder charge, Mitchell will also be charged with abusing a corpse and tampering with evidence. Authorities also warned Mitchell should be considered armed and dangerous.
At the press conference, Kendall Stephens, a victim of violence against the community, also spoke out about her own experience. Stephens was attacked by a mob in front of her children on her first day as a student at Temple University. However, she refused to back down and returned to her classes the next day.
“We deserve better than what we have gotten,” Stephens said. “We are human beings. We are not unworthy minorities.”
The murders of Jackson and Jackson-McDonald are part of a broader trend of violence against trans individuals, particularly those who are Black or Latinx. According to the Human Rights Campaign, at least 44 transgender or gender-nonconforming people were killed in 2021, with the majority being trans women of color.
As activists and community members continue to demand justice for Mar’Quis Jackson and Shahere “Diamond” Jackson-McDonald, the hope is that these tragedies will bring about greater awareness and change in the way that trans individuals are treated and protected.
1 hour ago
