UNITE HERE Statement on the Killing of Local 23 member TeeTee Dangerfield August 9, 2017

On July 31, our union sister TeeTee Dangerfield was senselessly murdered. TeeTee was a server at the Atlanta Airport, a very proud member of Local 23, and a trans woman. Her murder is being investigated as a potential hate crime.



We are horrified and saddened by TeeTee’s unconscionable murder, a crime that took away a shining star in her community, her workplace, and in her union. TeeTee was not only a skilled server whose warm and friendly service led some passengers to seek her out specifically when they flew out of or through ATL—she was also a leader in her union, seeking to become “the best shop steward our union had ever seen.”



While we mourn the fact that her life was taken so soon and so violently, we are also angry. Angry that transphobia and hate continue to manifest in our communities, where all individuals have the right to live their lives as whomever they are. TeeTee is the 16th known transgender person to be killed in the United States in 2017. This is an epidemic that can and must be stopped.



For our part, we will continue to fight for workplace protections for our LGBTQ sisters and brothers, which is but one piece of the larger movement to end the discrimination and violence often directed at the trans- and broader LGBTQ community. We will honor TeeTee’s memory by lending our collective strength and voices to say: Enough is enough! Not one more.



Justice for TeeTee. Rest in Power, sister.

Local 23 – Atlanta is partnering with Jobs with Justice Atlanta, the GA AFL-CIO, the Transgender Law Center, SONG, SNAPCO and members of the City of Atlanta, Pre-Arrest Diversion Program to organize two memorial events for TeeTee.

Friday – August 11, 2017

Airport Worker Memorial at ATL Airport

11:00am – 6:00pm

in the Interfaith Chapel (3rd floor Atrium)

https://www.facebook.com/events/415687208828890/

Friday – August 12, 2017

Community Memorial & Healing Cypher for TeeTee & Our Gurlz

7:00-10:00pm

The Blue House – 2861 East Point St, East Point, GA 30344

https://www.facebook.com/events/336147176797611/