Trans-rights protesters descended on the grand opening of a new "Harry Potter" store, staging a demonstration outside the venue.
The group gathered Wednesday at the flagship Harry Potter store on London's Oxford Street, carrying signs that read "protect trans lives" and "stop funding trans erasure," according to The Standard.
"Harry Potter" stars Tom Felton, who portrayed Draco Malfoy, and Warwick Davis attended the grand opening of the UK's largest "Harry Potter" store, spanning 21,000 square feet across two floors, as protesters chanted through a megaphone.
"You should not be reading Harry Potter to your children and then bringing them to this store," they shouted.
The uproar was in response to franchise author J.K. Rowling's advocacy for anti-trans policies in Britain.
Protesters waved the trans flag and wrote "Buy another author," and "'Harry Potter' isn't the only kids' book," in chalk on the sidewalk just outside the store.
Police stationed themselves along the street, which is set to host the ceremonial unveiling of Oxford Street's Harry Potter Christmas lights Friday — the same day the TV adaption series is slated to launch.
A very special shopping trip at the The Harry Potter Shop 🪄
— Visit London (@visitlondon) November 4, 2026
Tom Felton takes us on a magical tour, showing us what he’d pick out for Harry, Ron and Hermione… but of course, he hasn’t forgotten Draco! 🐍💚
From Hogwarts favourites to a few very Slytherin-worthy picks, find… pic.twitter.com/LbKWn1UHl8
Rowling's views have drawn criticism from stars of the upcoming TV series as well, including John Lithgow (Albus Dumbledore), Nick Frost (Rubeus Hagrid) and Bel Powley (Petunia Dursley), who sought to separate themselves from the author. (RELATED: Paris Jackson Files Legal Documents Seeking $600 Million Trust Fund Payout 17 Years After Michael Jackson's Death)
More than 11,000 people have signed a petition urging London Mayor Sadiq Khan to cancel the themed display.
Source link
