Jazmina Saavedra who is running as Republican for California's 44th Congressional district filmed herself on Facebook live earlier this month shouting abuse at a transgender woman in the bathroom at a Denny's restaurant. Jaazmina involved herself in the incident after she overheard another customer complaining about the transgender woman. Saavedra subsequently entered the bathroom with a camera shouting "why you using the ladies room?" And began filming the transgender woman in the bathroom. "You invading my privacy because I'm a woman. You stupid sick." She shouted at the woman. "I'm trying to use the ladies room and there is a man in here saying that he's a lady. This guy insists he's a lady." Saavedra then waits outside the bathroom to ambush the woman, continuing to film her as she is escorted out by management, shouting "Next time use the men's room". And continuing on to call the woman a "stupid guy."
This type of outrageous behavior is concerning coming from ANY candidate, Democrat or Republican. It is contrary to our values as a nation and has no place in our society. California law defines a hate crime as a criminal act 'committed, in whole or in part, because of one or more of the … actual or perceived characteristics of the victim' including gender, gender identity, and gender expression. Additionally, recording video of someone inside a bathroom without their consent is a crminal act. The Human Rights Campaign has urged Attorney General Xavier Becerra to open a criminal investigation on Ms. Saavedra's behavior, as there is great potential this incident may qualify as a hate crime under California law. The actions of Ms. Saavedra send a message that violent or threatening discrimination and segregation of individuals based on their gender identity, expression, or sexuality is acceptable both in private action and as governmental policy, and we simply cannot allow this! Sign the petition now! Show your support for what's right! Let's get enough signatures to show public distaste for this type of behavior in our leaders, and hold Jazmina Saavedra responsible for her actions. Thank You!
