The voice of Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs’ (D) press secretary, Josselyn Berry, was forced to resign after a Twitter post appearing to advocate for shooting of “transphobes.”
Berry posted her controversial tweet hours after a trans individual, who identified as male, shot her way through locked doors at a Christian elementary school in Nashville, Tenn., and murdered three young children and three adult staff members.
Berry’s tweet included a GIF of the late actress Gena Rowlands holding two revolvers. The GIF came from a scene in the movie “Gloria.”
The post, which Twitter has taken down, was immediately and sharply criticized by Republicans, who warned the messaging could incite violence.
The Arizona Freedom Caucus tweeted: “Calling for violence is NEVER acceptable. @GovernorHobbs Press Sec. tweeting about shooting political opponents on the same day a trans activist shoots up a school is nothing short of vile & heartless. There is no room for this in AZ Fire @joss_berry Now”
A tweet from Arizona Women of Action read: “Please contact @katiehobbs’ office and respectfully demand that she fire her press secretary, Josselyn Berry, who posted an inciteful meme calling for the murder of transphobes. Pray for a peaceful resolution.”
As investigators attempt to determine a motive for the horrendous murders, some have noted that the trans community has called for a “Trans Day of Vengeance” this week.
WION News reported that Tsukuru Fors, the co-founder of TRAN or the Trans Radical Activist Network, said the annual “Trans Day of Visibility” had been changed to the “Trans Day of Vengeance” because “visibility alone was no longer enough.”
“We are calling for Trans Day of Vengeance. Vengeance means fighting back with vehemence. It is our battle cry to declare to the world that we the transgender/non-binary communities will neither be silenced nor eradicated,” said Fors.
In a now deleted tweet, the TRAN co-founder added: “And we are calling to our allies, members of other marginalized communities to make themselves known and to fight with us.”
Seeking to quell the controversy and put distance between her office and calls for violence, Hobbs’ Office told ABC 15:
“The Governor does not condone violence in any form. This administration holds mutual respect at the forefront of how we engage with one another. The post by the Press Secretary is not reflective of the values of the administration. The Governor has received and accepted the resignation of the Press Secretary.”
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