"Transhuman is human!"
The chant could be heard for miles and was live cast around the world.
"We have rights!"
Hate crimes and terroristic threats have been on a rise since a celebrated legal victory for the augmented community, who are also referred to as aug, transhuman, or H+.
Body modification for function or appearance has rapidly gained general acceptance however there is an active and vocal opposition gaining strength.
Ridicule mingled with hatred does not disguise the fear that their opponents feel. Beyond distrust of what they find strange, many are afraid that their profession, hobby, or lifestyle are in danger.
Narratives around moral failings, criminality, pedophilia, and 'normal' replacement are shared and amplified across social media. Fear that enhanced humans will dominate in sports or gradually become power thirsty super villains are common themes, followed by the belief that people who augment are addicts or fetishists.
Despite the volume and variety of anti-aug content it all amounts to baseless fear mongering in the shape of political fan-fiction.
A fear in many professional circles that actually has some validity is that augmented persons, or augs for short, will outperform those who abstain. They believe this will lead to an escalating arms race between professionals to work harder and longer, at any cost.
Human resources scholar Jersbet Heiros has a different perspective
"Augmented persons are often better employees not because of enhanced abilities but because they are grateful and happy with themselves. They feel like they are fulfilling a greater purpose."
That greater purpose refers to the transhumanist belief that by enhancing ourselves we are fulfilling the mandate of humanity.
We have used tools and technology to overcome the limitations of biology for millennia. Thanks to science and technology we now have more opportunities than ever to modify or enhance ourselves.
The ultimate aim is to know yourself and progressively fulfill your unique human potential.
That path looks different for everyone, so there is no uniform for transhumanism, no set destination - it is more about understanding how to become the best version of you with the resources available.
Additionally there is an understanding that this is not for everyone and it is up to each person to discover their own path, in their own way. There is no expectation that everyone should be pursuing the same life goals.
Anyone involved in a transhumanist community will undergo therapy and psychological evaluation long before undertaking any permanent modifications or developmental deviations.
However not everyone who augments themselves are philosophically transhumanist and not every transhumanist will go full cyber.
We have become accustomed to many common enhancements to the point that they don't seem revolutionary anymore.
Corrective and emergency surgery, along with prosthesis, are considered the most socially acceptable modifications, having a long history of medical application.
Medications for cognitive or emotional enhancement have also had a long history but were often framed as treatment for disorder. The transhumanist influence has gradually re-framed these treatments, paired with conscious lifestyles and therapy, as strategic treatments for self improvement rather than magic bullet solutions.
Sensors and wearable computing are the most obvious mainstream trends aligned with transhumanism. Again, not everyone who uses these technologies for enjoyment or to improve their life will identify as transhuman but their priorities will overlap considerably.
With this level of widespread acceptance it is not surprising the amount of sympathy and support the H+ community can leverage.
The ruling in question would have made it so that voluntary surgical enhancement will disqualify a person from further medical treatment, the so-called "voided warranty" argument.
Examples emphasized personal agency in making these choices, an individual chooses to take this risk but in medical or emergency situations, doctors may not be aware about enhancements and potential complications that may arise in basic medical treatment.
After a drawn out appeals process it was eventually overturned by the highest court and there are no more chances for appeal.
In outrage, an anti-aug protest earlier this week drew a crowd of nearly a hundred objectors, while the counter protest swelled to thousands at one point. The anti crowd disappeared quietly without violence and the counter protest turned into a celebration.
It seems that in the echo chambers of their insular communities those who are against augs and transhumanist communities have overestimated their own numbers.
While today's demonstration was a clear victory, it doesn't mean that the transhumanist community can relax. Their opponents are vocal, active, and potentially aggressive, espousing hateful and violent rhetoric online and in person.
It will be a long time before proud transhumanists will feel completely safe and accepted but if this event is any indication it is only a matter of time.