Verbal attacks. How could I help my friend. Ideas would be appreciated.

[woodsprite]

My 66-year-old friend is a cancer survivor who has had a double mastectomy and has very short hair. She is white, for the record. Since the election, she has twice been subject to hate-filled, threatening, homophobic or transphobic verbal attacks by white men -- once on the street in Takoma Park, MD, once in the Whole Foods parking lot in Silver Spring. One involved a pair of well-dressed men telling her that "her kind" would be the the first exterminated under Trump. One of the attacks was enough to leave her shaken and vomiting in the street. She feels she is likely to attract more of the same in the future.

How do we respond to such an assault while it's happening -- to us or a loved one, or to someone we see on the street? More important, how do we "fight back" to stop these attacks from spreading?

I have seen suggestions that she should report the attacks to the Southern Poverty Law Center. She should also report it to the store where this happened, and file a police report. She has no "evidence", although the store may have had camera surveillance of their parking lot.

Is there anything else or any ideas that I can pass along to her? I am not well versed in dealing with something such as this, but I believe we're all going to need to become educated. As of now, they've been verbal attacks, but it may not be that way the next time.

[BSdetect]

1. Seems they think they can assault people openly now

I can only suggest using a cell phone to record when out and about.

Have the 911 button ready.

Or perhaps ask the thugs "Why are you attacking me?"

[Siwsan]

2. Get video and after calling the police, see if local news station will broadcast the video

If at a retail area, report the assault to the store management. Giving these people wide exposure is so important, so that that they are made known to the general public. I believe more will shame and shun them, than will applaud them.

And as important, those of us who witness this kind of thing MUST step forward and support/protect the person being attacked.

I'm an old 'flip phone' user, but I am also considering upgrading to something I can use to gather evidence, should this ever happen to me, or anyone in my vicinity.

[lunasun]

3. Sad but if she can afford a long wig or a hat . She shouldn't have to wear something she doesn't

want to but it may stop attacks. Hopefully she is in full support of gay rights to live life in freedom . She knows now what the others are going to have to endure more and more
Extermination is what the Nazi Facists always fantasize
In the past they have made it reality from pink triangle to death

[canetoad]

4. Is this what we're coming to?

Short hair on women and long on men is a sign that you must be attacked for being 'other'?

[woodsprite]

5. I think it's even just the short hair on women.

Look at the country stars and others that have long hair, so I'm not sure that it's to the same level with males with long hair, even my BIL (a biker, confederate flag waving gun humper, white, long hair braided in cornrows).

[jmg257]

6. Take your friends Smith and Wesson with you when you go out.

Not for nothing, these are threats of violence.

And you are right - they might not always be verbal.