Parisian transgender "humiliated" during a demonstration

A transgender woman spoke after a video went viral: she was attacked near a rally in central Paris against the sick Algerian president.

Julia reported being targeted by three men in the Republic Square.

"You're a man, you're not going anywhere, you're not going past it," she said, as she was pushed and hit while trying to cross the crowd.

Prosecutors opened an investigation into the attack.

During her stint on French television and radio, Julia stated that she had never experienced anything like it.

"Violence against this [transgender] the community takes place every day. But some people will not have the strength that I have and they will be destroyed by these attacks, "she said.

What happened in the center of Paris?

Julia, 31, was surprised Sunday as she was climbing steps to the metro station of Republic Square. A large rally was held in the square against Abdelaziz Bouteflika, the Algerian president in power for 82 years, who has since announced his resignation.

Dressed in a black and white striped blouse, Julia was blocked by protesters who taunted her in Arabic.

A man ruffled his hair, while a girl draped in an Algerian flag came to help Julia. After the girl's departure, a man repeatedly punched Julia, while another was kicking on her.

The transport police then intervened and took the victim to safety. However, the French group Stop Homophobie said that the transport agents called him "Sir" and told him "not to dress like that".

The video of the attack became viral in France and Julia then decided to report what had happened.

"I wanted to go down and take the subway, three people blocked my way, and another said," Oh, you're a man. We will not let you go, "she told France Inter radio.

Julia stated that one of the men had even been exposed in front of her while the others were starting to throw beer at her.

"I do not necessarily expect these people to be punished, but I want things to go forward and the way people think is changing," she told BFMTV. .

Julia went on to say that the attack had nothing to do with the Algerian community but was perpetrated by ignorant people, regardless of their origin or religion.

The Paris prosecutor opened a case for violence related to badual orientation and gender identity. Political leaders, including the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, and the Minister of Equality, Marlene Schiappa, have condemned the attack.

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