A transgender woman has spoken out after a video went viral of her being attacked near a rally in central Paris against Algeria’s ailing president.
Julia has described being targeted by three men in the Place de la République.
“You’re a man, you’re not going anywhere, you’re not coming past,” she was told, as she was pushed and punched while trying get through the crowd.
Prosecutors have opened an inquiry into the attack.
Appearing on French TV and radio, Julia said she had never experienced anything quite like it.
“The violence against this [transgender] community takes place every day. But some people won’t have the strength that I have and they’ll be destroyed by these attacks,” she said.
Julia, 31, was set upon on Sunday as she walked up steps at the metro station in the Place de la République. A big rally was taking place in the square against Abdelaziz Bouteflika, Algeria’s long-ruling 82-year-old president, who has since announced his resignation.
Wearing a black-and-white striped blouse, Julia was blocked by protesters who taunted her in Arabic.
One man ruffled her hair, while a girl draped in an Algerian flag came to try to help Julia. After the girl moved on, a man repeatedly punched Julia while another could be seen kicking at her.
