The recent attack on a 20-year-old transgender woman has been labeled a hate crime by San Francisco police.
The woman, who asked media outlets to refer to her as Mia, was accosted by two men near the 16th Street BART station. Witnesses say one of the men grabbed her phone and began "very brutally and very violently" punching her in the face.
Thanks the help of witnesses who followed the two suspects, police were able to identify and arrest the men, who were initially charged with robbery and aggravated assault. Following additional investigation, the district attorney's office added the hate-crime charge.
The suspects are scheduled to appear in court next week.
UPDATE: A rally has been planned tonight at 16th and Mission BART plaza from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. Earlier reports said the rally was to take place at San Francisco's City Hall.
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