A sit-in was staged at police headquarters Saturday after two people were arrested for unfurling a banner from a Highway 417 overpass to mark the annual Transgendered Day of Remembrance.
The two activists dropped the banner, which read "Remember Stonewall?" from the overpass near Elgin and Catherine Streets. The banner refers to the Stonewall riots that took place in New York City in 1969 and triggered the gay rights movement in the United States.
In response to the arrests, about 50 activists gathered at police headquarters to launch a sit-in.
"We want these folks to know that they're not isolated, that we're here for them," said Taiva Tegler, an activist for the transgendered community. "They were arrested and all they were doing was trying to get their message out. That's not a crime."
Police said the pair was arrested for mischief.
The Transgendered Day of Remembrance was commemorated across the city Saturday, including a march to Parliament Hill and a candlelight vigil at the Canadian Human Rights Monument.
A flag-raising also occurred at police headquarters shortly before the arrests were made and the sit-in began.
