The LGBTQ+ organizations and the organizations that serve LGBTQ+ individuals signing below stand in solidarity with Celena Morrison-McLean and Darius McLean, who are our valued employees, Board members, and community stakeholders.
First, we want to update our communities that Celena Morrison-McLean and Darius McLean have returned home safely following Saturday’s arrest on the Vine Street Expressway in Center City Philadelphia. We will now be turning our attention towards supporting them following the terrible abuse they suffered. We are grateful to the many community members and leaders who stepped into action to ensure that Darius and Celena were able to get home as quickly as possible and that their families were kept up to date.
While we await further investigation, we want to be clear: We believe that actions by State Police from the Belmont Barracks this weekend can be seen as yet another example in the long institutional history of over-policing and disproportional outcomes against Black, Brown, and LGBTQ+ people, particularly Black trans people.
Our organizational leadership will be following up with both Governor Shapiro and Mayor Parker to ensure that our voices are heard and that Celena Morrison-McLean, Darius McLean, and our communities receive proper transparency and accountability regarding this traumatic traffic stop and arrest in the heart of our own city.
In solidarity,
William Way LGBT Community Center
Action Wellness
The Attic Youth Center
The Bearded Ladies
Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center
Delaware Valley Legacy Fund
Galaei
Independence Business Alliance
Mazzoni Center
Philadelphia Colours
Philly Black Pride
Therapy Center of Philadelphia