Trans Rights Protesters Disrupt Harry Potter Store Opening

A group of transgender rights protesters disrupted the grand opening of a flagship Harry Potter store on London’s Oxford Street. The store, described as the U.K.’s largest Harry Potter shop, spans 21,000 square feet across two floors at The Ribbon development.

The protesters carried signs reading 'protect trans lives' and 'stop funding trans erasure,' and used a megaphone to chant messages. They told visitors entering the store: 'You should not be reading Harry Potter to your children and then bringing them to this store.'

Demonstrators also drew the trans flag and messages such as 'Buy another author' and 'Harry Potter isn’t the only kids’ book' in chalk on the sidewalk outside the building. Police were called to the scene and stationed nearby.

Actors Tom Felton and Warwick Davis attended the store’s opening, with Davis set to reprise his role in the upcoming TV adaptation of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. J.K. Rowling, the franchise’s author, has faced criticism for her anti-trans policies and her involvement with the J.K. Rowling Women’s Fund.

A spokesperson for the store stated: 'We support everyone’s right to the peaceful expression of personal viewpoints and look forward to a day full of magic.' Rowling’s team declined to comment when approached by The Hollywood Reporter.

The controversy has intensified with several cast members of the upcoming TV series distancing themselves from Rowling’s views. John Lithgow, Nick Frost, and Bel Powley have all expressed disagreement with her stance on gender issues.