The National Black Justice Coalition Mourns the Death of Zachee Imanitwitaho
CONTACT: Brett Abrams | brett@unbendablemedia.com
WASHINGTON, DC- The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) mourns the death of Zachee Imanitwitaho, a Black transgender woman who was shot and killed on February 3, 2023, in Louisville, Kentucky, in the parking lot of her workplace.
Zachee lived in Rwanda before immigrating to the U.S. in 2019. She was well-liked, always happy, and smiling. A friend and co-worker said Zachee was always loving and helping people.
“I am deeply saddened to hear about the death of another trans sibling,” said Director of Public Policy and Programs, Victoria Kirby York. “The seemingly endless cycle of violence, of mourning those we have lost, and begging those in power to take action to prevent this from continuing to happen is exhausting and should not be necessary. Just as disturbing, Zachee left Rwanda for safety in the United States only to have her life ended by the same kind of violence she fled in our country. Our transgender sisters deserve more from us.
“Members of our community deserve to feel safe in all the spaces they occupy, including work. Like Zachee, we deserve to live bravely and authentically without being worried that it will cause us to be harmed. We deserve to be protected by the law and those who enforce it.”
Zachee Imanitwitaho’s family has set up a GoFundMe to raise money for the funeral. Donate HERE.
Learn more about reducing gender-based violence here and here.
Look here to learn more about changing local laws and increasing protections for trans and non-binary community members.
The NBJC Stolen Lives list of trans and non-binary individuals lost to violence, and hate can be found here.