‘Harry Potter’ Oxford Street Store Opening Disrupted By Trans Rights Protesters Chanting “Blood On Her Hands” About J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter fans lining up to enter the franchise’s new Oxford Street store in London were greeted by trans rights protesters chanting that J.K. Rowling has “blood on her hands.”

A group of around a dozen protesters stood to the side of the flagship store, wielding megaphones and placards with messages that included: “Trans kids deserve to grow up. Trans adults deserve to grow old.” One protester held a transgender flag with the Hufflepuff crest.

Nearly 10 Metropolitan Police officers were on the scene, while a large number of private security professionals in high-visibility vests marshalled the crowds. The protests were peaceful during the period Deadline observed the demonstration, while store customers — many dressed in Hogwarts house scarves — appeared to still be enjoying their experience.

A Harry Potter store spokesperson said: “Harry Potter Shop Oxford Street is thrilled to open our doors and welcome in hundreds of fans. We support everyone’s right to the peaceful expression of personal viewpoints and look forward to a day full of magic.”

A protest organizer, who identified as West and declined to give their full name, said they wanted to raise awareness about Rowling’s “disdain” for transgender people. West accused the author of “personally funding transphobia from the ground up,” pointing to her donation to a UK campaign to ensure the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex.

Rowling declined to comment, but her position is that she is uncompromising when it comes to women’s rights. In an X/Twitter post this week, Rowling argued that trans rights campaigners advocate “for women to lose their sex-based rights to accommodate men who say they’re women.”

Asked for evidence on how Rowling has “blood on her hands,” West told Deadline that there are “extremely high suicide rates” among the trans community. “By removing trans rights, by removing trans protections, she is making the world unsafe for people,” West alleged.

Challenged on whether it was appropriate to be chanting the “blood on hands” slogan at families waiting to enter the Harry Potter store, West said: “Yes, absolutely … I would hope that [parents] become aware and don’t subject their children [to Harry Potter].” West added that the protest was “completely peaceful, completely lawful.”

The demonstrator added that they were once a “massive” Harry Potter fan. “A lot of us here today, a lot of trans people, and a lot of allies, are massive Harry Potter fans. But the fact is that the franchise is not worth the loss of human dignity.”

The Oxford Street store is the largest Harry Potter shop in the UK. Spanning two floors, the store is inspired by Diagon Alley and includes a Butterbeer bar.