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.
Martez, an organizer and performer, is seen in action during the ball near City Hall.
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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.
Attendees hold a sign calling on folks to say the name of Layleen Xtravaganza Cubilette-Polanco.
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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.
Housing Works CEO Charles King looks on during the City Hall demonstration.
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The demonstration echoed themes of criminal justice with a focus on sex workers and black trans women.
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Advocates have sought answers since Kawaski Trawick was fatally shot by NYPD officers in April.
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A pair of attendees, Blue and Zaire, embrace each other as they participate in the demonstration.
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