Trans Councillor Benny Briolly Hospitalized After Attack at Niterói Shopping Mall

Overview

• Benny Briolly says she was blocked from entering the women’s restroom, pushed, hit with pepper spray and struck her head during the Libera o Meu Xixi mobilization, and was taken by ambulance for treatment.
• Her team reports altered blood pressure and reduced awareness after the episode and says she filed a police report and underwent a forensic IML exam after being released from hospital.
• Organizers had partially suspended the caravan earlier that day after receiving more than 400 threats, including death threats and warnings of armed attacks, which they cite as the reason for heightened caution.
• Figures from the PL party disputed parts of Briolly’s account, saying the hospital visit may have resulted from pepper spray used by protesters, while the Plaza Shopping administration said security accompanied the group and provided aid.
• The case has intensified a national debate over transgender access to public restrooms and could lead to official investigations into the assault, venue response and the safety of trans activists in public actions.