Petition urges LondonMayor to scrap Harry Potter Christmas lights over transphobia

[IwantToRetire]

Thousands of people have signed a petition calling on London Mayor Sadiq Khan to cancel Harry Potter-themed Christmas lights planned for Oxford Street this year.

The display is intended to promote the forthcoming Harry Potter TV series, but campaigners object to the promotion of JK Rowling's work due to what they argue are here anti-trans views.

Signatories to the petition, which was organised by the Good Law Project, also say the lights will leave trans people feeling unwelcome and unsafe in one of London's best-known festive locations.

Article continues at https://www.localgov.co.uk/Petition-urges-Khan-to-scrap-Harry-Potter-Christmas-lights-over-transphobia-/65071

I'm a long way from London and consequently don't give a rat's arse about the lights on Oxford Street, but I heard that redoubtable young woman Maeve Halligan yesterday say that the lights are not the concern of the mayor. They do not fall within his portfolio/remit/authority or however we express it. There's no point in having a petition to either remove or keep them if Khan has no power over the matter.

Sharing this hilarious video that the Good Law Project apparently think presents them in a good light, and revealing that 10k pointless emails have already been sent to the Mayor of London over this.

https://x.com/max__young/status/2114324529065722033

Apparently the big switch on is November 3rd, so they must be up already or going up in the next couple of days.

I suspect they'll try to put pressure on the celebrity who'll be switching it on assuming that's a thing. May even be some shenaniganery at the event. At least it might get them out of the house. Just hope no-one gets hurt.

I was going to say, "No doubt they will be exercising their minds to devise ways to creatively vandalise the lights". But then it occurred to me that the item they need has already been invented, though I doubt if you can get it at Hamleys:

Accompanied no doubt by much wailing, claims of feeling unsafe, and bottles of piss from the angry men in frocks. Plus ca change...

Maybe JKR will switch them on 🤣

My thought exactly!

Oh that would be too good!! 🤣

That woman who played Hermione...wossname...I want to say 'Emma'... something...? She doesn't seem to have done much lately, perhaps she'll find a moment in her no doubt packed schedule 😆

Maybe JKR will switch them on

That would just be too deliciously perfect.😀 Shall we start a rumour?

Or a petition?!

Maybe Tom Felton or Evanna Lynch?

ETA - wouldn't it be great if Gary Oldman switched them on?

Hilarious and pathetic in equal measure.

I'd like john lithgow to turn on the lights. It would send the TRAs mad.

Unsafe? The only way Christmas lights could make anyone feel unsafe is if they looked likely to fall on their head. 🙄

As Patrick Christys said on GB News last night to a TRA (up against the awesome Maeve Halligan in a brief debate on this):

"You're shouting at Christmas lights mate!"

https://www.timeout.com/london/news/oxford-street-christmas-lights-2026-harry-potter-100726

It's to coincide with this:

https://www.timeout.com/london/news/uk-harry-potter-flagship-store-opening-date-081226

I hope there is adequate security.

😂

This country is getting worse by the day. If you're straight and I'm gonna say it "white" in this country you have no say because the minority will moan or cry about it. Ffs, get a grip, I've nothing against these few but you all need to shut up now. This country has freedom of speech and choice unless it upsets, them, those, they, the gays, the lesbians, the trans, the Asians, the Africans oh and don't forget the illegals.
Think everyone just needs to be themselves, so what if that person doesn't like what you like or say, that's life get over it!!!!

Nurse! The screens.

Freedom of speech, followed by you all need to shut up ???

Actually it was shut up then freedom of speech. But that's not what should be taken from my comments, it's more about if I was to say something that I didn't like I could be arrested because these few don't like my comments. Everyone has their own views about so many different topics, but depending on who you are in relationship to that comment you can be arrested for your view, whereas the other way round it wouldn't happen because it would cause hurt feelings.

Fair enough

This is so horribly true. They are being brainwashed in the cruellest and most irresponsible way.