The opening of the new Harry Potter store on London’s Oxford Street drew a demonstration by around a dozen trans rights protesters, who chanted that author J.K. Rowling had “blood on her hands.” The group stood beside the flagship store with megaphones and placards, including one reading: “Trans kids deserve to grow up. Trans adults deserve to grow old.” One demonstrator carried a transgender flag bearing the Hufflepuff crest.
Nearly 10 Metropolitan Police officers were at the scene, alongside a large team of private security staff in high-visibility vests. The demonstration was peaceful during the period observed by Deadline, and customers queuing to enter—many wearing Hogwarts house scarves—appeared to continue enjoying the experience.
A spokesperson for the store said it was “thrilled to open our doors and welcome in hundreds of fans,” adding that it supported everyone’s right to express personal viewpoints peacefully. The spokesperson also said the store looked forward to “a day full of magic.”
Protest organizer West, who declined to give their full name, said the demonstration aimed to draw attention to what they described as Rowling’s “disdain” for transgender people. West accused the author of funding transphobia and referred to her donation to a UK campaign seeking to define “woman” in law on the basis of biological sex.
Rowling declined to comment. Her stated position, according to Deadline, is that she is uncompromising on women’s rights. In a post on X this week, she argued that trans rights campaigners support removing women’s sex-based rights to accommodate men who identify as women.
Asked to explain the “blood on her hands” slogan, West cited high suicide rates in the trans community and alleged that removing trans rights and protections makes the world unsafe for transgender people. West said the chant was appropriate even with families waiting to enter the store, adding that they hoped parents would reconsider exposing their children to Harry Potter.
West also said they had once been a major Harry Potter fan, and that many protesters and allies still loved the franchise. However, they argued, “the franchise is not worth the loss of human dignity.”
The Oxford Street location is the UK’s largest Harry Potter shop. The two-storey space is inspired by Diagon Alley and includes a Butterbeer bar.
Sources: Deadline.