Justice Demanded
for Layleeen Polanco,
Kawasaki Trawik
DONNA ACETO
Layleen Xtravaganza Cubilette-Polanco’s sister, Melania Brown,
speaks in front of the crowd near City Hall.
PHOTO ESSAY BY DONNA ACETO
More than 100 people gathered near
City Hall on August 15 to convey
emotional calls for criminal justice
reform and seek justice for
Layleen Xtravaganza Cubilette-Polanco and
Kawaski Trawick.
Folks held a ball event and a demonstration
roughly two months after Polanco, a transgender
woman, died in jail at Rikers Island and
four months after Trawick, a gay man, was fatally
shot by police at his home in the Bronx.
After making their voices heard at City Hall,
the group then brought their demonstration to
One Police Plaza to continue raising awareness
about the role of law enforcement in the deaths
of LGBTQ folks in the city this year.
DONNA ACETO
Martez, an organizer and performer, is seen in action during the ball
near City Hall.
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