Eli Rubashkyn Convicted for Dousing Anti-Trans Activist Posie Parker with Tomato Juice
An activist, Eli Rubashkyn, who doused British anti-transgender rights campaigner Posie Parker with tomato juice during a heated speaking event and counter-protest, expressed that only God can judge her after her request for a discharge without conviction was denied.
Rubashkyn was convicted of two assault charges related to the March 25th
incident at Auckland's Albert Park band rotunda. She had pleaded guilty in June
through her lawyer, James Olsen, during a brief court appearance before Judge
Claire Ryan.
Olsen had asked Judge Kirsten Lummis to grant Rubashkyn a discharge without
conviction, arguing that the gravity of the offense was low and that
Rubashkyn's actions were aimed at preventing Parker from spreading anti-trans
views. However, Judge Lummis disagreed.
The judge noted that the seriousness of the offense was heightened due to
its premeditated nature, which Rubashkyn later defended in media interviews.
Although Rubashkyn, whose legal name is Eliana Golberstein, was reportedly
remorseful, the judge pointed out the absence of an apology in her court
submissions.
"I question whether there is genuine remorse," Judge Lummis
remarked, acknowledging Rubashkyn's difficult experiences as an intersex person
and her volunteer work with gender-diverse organizations. However, she
ultimately decided against imposing a penalty, leading to Rubashkyn receiving a
conviction and discharge.
Despite the ruling, Judge Lummis expressed her hope that Rubashkyn would not
lose faith and wished her well on her continued journey.
As Rubashkyn left the court, she told reporters, "Only God judges, and
I just want God to judge me."
The charges, which carry a maximum penalty of six months in prison or a
$4,000 fine, stemmed from Rubashkyn's actions during the event. Parker, whose
legal name is Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull, and Tania Suzanne Sturt, who helped
organize the event, were the complainants. Both were doused in tomato juice by
Rubashkyn, though neither was injured.
In a victim impact statement, Sturt described the terror and violation she
felt when the liquid hit her, fearing it might be acid. She has since sought
therapy for trauma and continues to struggle with its effects.
Rubashkyn admitted to pouring the juice on Parker during a media interview
following the incident, stating that she wanted Parker to understand that
"her words are blood because they are killing our people."
Before this case, Rubashkyn had no prior court appearances.
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