Victim Says McDonald's Beating Was A Hate Crime
ROSEDALE, Md. (WJZ) --A savage McDonald's beating was seen by millions on the Internet. The victim says the attack was definitely a hate crime.
Weijia Jiang is following the new public outcry to the brutal video.
Dragged to the floor by her hair, repeatedly kicked and punched, that's what happened to Chrissy Polis, 22, inside a McDonald's restaurant on Kenwood Avenue in Rosedale.
For the first time since the brutal beating, Polis is speaking out. She tells WJZ's media partner The Baltimore Sun it was a hate crime. Click here to view her interview with the Sun.
Polis, who is a transgender woman, says her attackers called her a "dude" when she tried to go to the women's bathroom and spit in her face before getting physical.
The video quickly went viral, sparking nationwide outrage.
"All of us are human beings," said Sandy Rawls, Trans-United director. "We come from the same universe. For people to say it's OK to beat you down because you're trying to get French fries or go to the bathroom is deadly wrong."
Rawls is the director of Trans-United, one of many transgender support groups calling for severe action against the 14- and 18-year-old suspects.
They're also demanding answers from McDonald's. The franchise owner says he fired the on-duty employee who was taking the cell phone video, and is considering discipline for the others who were working that night.
"Where's the managers? Where's everyone at? You don't just let someone get beat up like that," said Linda Bell, of Rosedale.
"They should get fired. That's setting a bad example," said Sebastian Johnson, of Rosedale.
Though one worker is seen trying to break up the fight, most are standing by, even heard laughing.
It was a customer who eventually stepped in right before Polis appears to have a violent seizure.
Polis tells the Sun she's now afraid to leave the house.
Outreach groups for the transgender community are planning a rally in front of the Rosedale McDonald's for Monday night at 7 p.m., hoping to send the message that what happened inside is unacceptable.
Click here to view the video of the assault.
Police have charged the 14-year-old as a juvenile, and the State's Attorney is currently deciding what charges the 18- year-old will face.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
