Trans activists tried to disrupt and shut down the London premiere of "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" over the weekend in London. The activists have long had Rowling as a target for their anger because she refuses to bend the knee to them and is a tireless champion of women's rights.
'Trans rights' agitators storm Harry Potter red carpet outside London theater in protest of JK Rowlinghttps://t.co/UmqTsGpYaG
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) October 16, 2026
The agitators chanted, “When trans rights are under attack, what do we do? Stand up right back,” and “Boycott Rowling!” A person with a megaphone was heard saying, “We call on you, the public, to boycott this vile excuse for a human being and stand up for the rights of the most marginalized.”
The gala marked the arrival of a reworked version of the play in London, shortened from the two-part, five-hour production that debuted in 2016 to a three-hour, one-part version.
Rowling has been the subject of criticism for her support of women’s rights and belief that sex is an “immutable” characteristic. She and her works have frequently been targeted by trans agitators. In March, a trans-owned bookstore in the UK encouraged customers to vandalize a copy of a Harry Potter book in their possession.
An LGBTQ activist, who Rowling said “targeted me with endless abuse” on social media, was sentenced in 20205 to 30 years behind bars for sexually assaulting a 12-year-old.
And here's video of the activists swarming the red carpet.
London (Oct. 15) — Extremist trans militants tried shutting down a gala performance of a Harry Potter show as revenge against J.K. Rowling for speaking out about her rejection of trans ideology. pic.twitter.com/mES5Fi91e0
— Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) October 16, 2026
Rowling's agent, Neil Blair, slammed the activists, saying they put others at risk.
J.K. Rowling’s Agent Slams Trans Rights Protest at ‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’ in London: It Put ‘Others at Risk’ https://t.co/P2SMFQbXqH
— Variety (@Variety) October 17, 2026
"We respect peaceful activism and the right to express different views," Blair said in a statement. "But those rights must be exercised without putting others at risk, including audience members, performers and theater staff, as we saw [Thursday] evening during the protests outside the Palace Theatre in London ahead of the gala performance of ‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.'"
Notice the masks and goggles part.
— Drayson (@Rjinswand) October 17, 2026
Remember, historically, the people who cover their faces are almost always the bad guys.
These people are not right or moral. They're evil and dangerous bullies, who resort to violence to undermine the rights of women and silence their critics.