Protesters target opening of new Harry Potter shop on Oxford Street

Protesters demonstrated outside the new flagship Harry Potter store that opened on Oxford Street on Wednesday morning, chanting in support of transgender rights as the shop prepared to open its doors.

Amid continued controversy around JK Rowling’s gender critical views, the group of six people gathered directly outside the store, carrying signs stating “protect trans lives” and “stop funding trans erasure”.

Speaking through megaphones, they chanted “trans rights are human rights” and “when trans are under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back”.

The protesters outside the new Harry Potter shop which opened Wednesday morning in Oxford Street

The Standard

One protester urged Harry Potter fans queuing up outside the store not to visit the new shop.

“You should not be reading Harry Potter to your children and then bringing them to this store,” they said.

“We will be here protesting all day. We’re sorry for the noise but unfortunately kids are dying. Trans kids are killing themselves. Trans kids are homeless and we need to think about those children.

“Go home, do something better with your time.”

One of the protesters outside the store

The Standard

It comes after the new HBO Harry Potter series, which JK Rowling is an executive producer on, based on the films has become shrouded in controversy.

Actors cast in the show have distanced themselves from her views, including John Lithgow who plays Dumbledore, and Nick Frost, who is cast as Hagrid. Meanwhile cast members have received backlash and sometimes death threats over their involvement.

A queue of Harry Potter fans lined up outside the shop, with reports online saying some waited for up to two hours before going inside.

One person, who asked to remain anonymous, came out in support of the shop. He told The Standard they wanted to encourage fans to continue enjoying the franchise while also standing up for trans rights.

A Harry Potter fan waited outside the shop before its official opening at 10am

The Standard

When asked whether they were there to support Harry Potter but also the trans community, they said: “Turn up and go and march in your local Trans Pride. You’ll be most welcome, even if you are a Harry Potter fan.

“It’s not my place to tell you what to do with your money but I would like to encourage all Harry Potter fans to support trans rights.”

The shop officially opened at The Ribbon at 134-140 Oxford Street and includes a full-sized Knight Bus, the triple-decker vehicle in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and a recreation of the Leaky Cauldron.

There is also a Hogwarts Bear Ceremony where shoppers can discover which house their Harry Potter teddy bear belongs to.

Inside the new Oxford Street store, which is the UK’s largest official Harry Potter shop

PA

Actor Tom Felton, who played Draco Malfoy, was among the first to explore the new flagship ahead of its opening.

Speaking during his visit, he said: “I can’t believe the attention to detail here, it takes me right back to set.

“Who would have thought 25 years ago that we’d be opening a flagship shop on Oxford Street? What a special place this shop is for fans. Just can’t wait for them to see it.”

The Oxford Street opening adds to the franchise’s existing collection of dedicated shops in King’s Cross, New York, Chicago, Akasaka and Harajuku in Tokyo.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter sent a statement on behalf of the store. It said: “Harry Potter Shop Oxford Street is thrilled to open our doors and welcome in hundreds of fans.

“We support everyone’s right to the peaceful expression of personal viewpoints and look forward to a day full of magic.”