A trans woman from New Jersey was arrested during the Philadelphia Pride Parade for allegedly trying to burn a pro-cop “Blue Lives Matter” flag at 12th and Locust streets.
ReeAnna Segin, 18, of Woodbine, NJ, was arrested for “attempting to set a thin blue line American Flag on fire while in a crowd” at 12:10 p.m. on June 10, a police report said. The incident was in the heart of Philly’s Gayborhood during the Philadelphia Pride Parade. She reportedly did not actually start a fire, but was about to when police spotted her with lighter fluid.
The flag was an American flag design with blue stripes, referred to as a Blue Lives Matter flag, typically used as a pro-police symbol.
Segin now faces charges of attempted arson, risking a catastrophe and recklessly endangering another person.
She was detained on $5,000 bail. Supporters posted her bail on June 11 and got her released later that day. Members of the Philly Socialists and others posted support for Segin while complaining on social media that she had been detained at Curran Fromhold Correctional Facility, a men’s jail.
“We cannot release much information at this time, but this incident highlights why cops should not be allowed at any Pride parades,” said the Philly Socialists, who supported Segin and raised funds for their bail along with the Philly for REAL Justice group, in a statement. “Though Pride has become a celebration of all that the LGBT movement has accomplished, we cannot forget that the struggle against state oppression is far from over.”
“Pride was a riot started by a trans woman of color protesting police violence. Yesterday a trans woman was arrested at Philly pride for trying to burn a ‘blue lives matter’ flag. There is nothing more in the spirit of pride than what she did,” said a Twitter user identified as Anna Moone. “She is a hero & should be celebrated.”
Pride was a riot started by a trans woman of color protesting police violence. Yesterday a trans woman was arrested at philly pride for trying to burn a “blue lives matter” flag. There is nothing more in the spirit of pride than what she did. She is a hero & should be celebrated.
— Anna Moone (@annamoonesyou) June 11, 2018
