Memorial for trans activist scheduled

A memorial service will be held January 28 for Nizah Morris, a Philadelphia transgendered woman and activist who died on Christmas Eve, two days after being found unconscious lying in the street. Philadelphia police said an officer found her asleep outside a downtown bar and offered her a ride home but that she jumped out of the squad car just a few blocks later. Police are still investigating Morris's death, and her family has called for an independent investigation into the matter. The memorial service will begin at 7 p.m. in the ballroom of the William Way Community Center, 1315 Spruce St. in Philadelphia. Following the service will be a candlelight march to commemorate her life. "I think the community of Philadelphia has suffered at the hands of police," transgender activist Rick Feely told Advocate.com "This memorial for Nizah is a call to action for everyone to get involved in transgender rights in the future."