Protesters clashed outside a Koreatown spa in Los Angeles on Saturday after a transgender woman apparently undressed in an area reserved for women.
A few far-right protesters appeared to outnumber those advocating transgender rights. Police declared the afternoon meeting to be an illegal gathering, Los Angeles Police Department Officer Frank Lopez said.
Officers dispersed at the scene and an LAPD helicopter spun overhead as protesters yelled at each other and, in some cases, exchanged blows, according to a social media video from the crime scene.
Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Nicholas Prange said one person who was attacked suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to a medical facility by private ambulance.
The protest was sparked by an incident recorded on video and shared on social media by a woman complaining to Wi Spa USA workers about a trans customer who had undressed, showing her penis in an area where Women are naked. The incident happened about a week ago. The workers stood by the trans woman and said that they cannot legally discriminate against her.
The story of the series was first reported by Los Angeles magazine.
“As in many other metropolitan areas, Los Angeles has a transgender population, some of whom enjoy visiting spas,” Wi Spa USA told the publication. “Wi Spa strives to meet the needs of all of its customers.”
The spa did not immediately respond to a request for comment from NBC News.
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