The murder of a trans woman in north Minneapolis last weekend has rekindled calls for action against transphobia and focused violence from both her family and state legislators.
Savannah Ryan Williams, 38-year-old sister, cousin, niece, and brothers gathered on Thursday at the State Capitol with campaigners and politicians to express their condolences. Williams, who was shot in the head and died on November 29 close to Lake Street. Damarean Kaylon Bible, 25, was charged with second-degree murder by the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office on Tuesday, and he is still incarcerated.
This is the second time this year that a transgender woman has been attacked in the same location. More needs to be done, according to Williams’ friends and supporters of the Minnesota statehouse’s Queer Legislative Caucus, to ensure the safety of all people, especially trans women of color like Williams who are disproportionately the targets of crime.
Savannah ought to be alive right now. Savannah is dead because she is a transgender woman, according to Rep. Leigh Finke, DFL St. Paul, the first trans state legislator in Minnesota.
“Transphobia is dangerous and pervasive in America.” In the United States, there is a persistent threat of destructive violence to our society.
Gabrielle Stillday, Williams’ niece, remarked that her older sister had a sizable heart. Williams, a Native American and Cuban, was praised as Stillday’s beloved aunt by his children, nephews, and cousins.
Stillday declared, “Savannah is our superstar.” To me and my children, she meant the world. She was adored by our entire community.
This weekend, a memorial service will be held, and Stillday is setting up a GoFundMe to help with expenses.
On November 29, at around 5 a.m., Williams asked Bible if he wanted sex, and Bible responded by walking past the Lake Street light-rail station. According to Bible, he had a 9-millimeter gun in his bag and started to have “wary” feelings about Williams. He shot her after the physical action. Court documents claim that Bible told his father he “had to do it” during a visit from prison.
Despite the circumstances surrounding her death, Stillday asserted that she does not think her niece was a sex worker and that it was not her fault.
Stillday pleaded with others not to judge her because she wouldn’t judge you.
Raelynn Stillday, Williams’ cousin, claimed that her aunt was cheerful, outspoken, and bright-eyed everywhere she went.
She claimed that her past transgressions did not define her character. “We are so sad and saddened that she is gone. Savannah is no longer with us, but her legacy will endure long.
According to HIV awareness and prevention specialist Amber Muhm, trans people experience housing and employment discrimination, making sex work and theft “acts of survival.”
She remarked, “Regardless of what we do to support ourselves in this world, which is not actively designed for us, we shouldn’t be killed for it.”
Members of their group are also grieving the loss of Williams, according to Muhm.
Savannah had a great personality and an even bigger heart. She was fierce and full of life. She will be sorely missed. The fact that we lost one of our sisters last week is a little weird.
She continued by saying that this was not only the second violent assault on transgender women in the same region this year but also the second.
Six people were injured in a mass shooting this summer at the pop-up rock stadium Nudieland, where LGBTQ people can congregate and perform. August Golden, 35, was also killed.
Four months later, no charges or arrests have been made public.
In a statement released on Thursday, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty stated that her office had just given senior counsel the responsibility of strongly collaborating with Minneapolis police on the ongoing Nudieland investigation.
The mass shooting, according to queer woman Moriarty, “appeared to target members of our community who identify as LGBTQ.”
Williams’ murder will not be prosecuted as a hate crime, according to Moriarty’s office, as of yet.
“We would prosecute accordingly if the investigation reveals enough evidence to prove bias motivation beyond a reasonable doubt,” she declared.
In Minnesota, independent hate crime charges are not common, but defendants may be charged with aggravating factors and have their sentences increased for being “bias-motivated.”
The brutal assault on a transgender woman at the Lake Street light-rail station in February resulted in the arrest of two people. A protest in support of the victim, who suffered serious injuries, was attended by more than 200 people.
After prosecutors determined the assault wasn’t motivated by bias, the men entered a guilty plea and were given probation.
Despite Minnesota’s decision to become a transgender protection state this year, Finke asserted that “laws are not enough.”
Legislation cannot save us in these circumstances, she declared. “Anti-trans crime is a global epidemic.” It can be found anywhere. Until all of our neighbors recognize our humanity, appreciate our uniqueness, and embrace this beautiful community that loves and is deserving of love, our communities won’t be secure.
