In response to increased policing of Civic Center, grand marshals, awardees withdraw from SF Pride

[KamaAina]

http://blacklivesmatter.com/in-response-to-increased-policing-of-civic-center-grand-marshals-awardees-withdraw-from-participation-in-pride-parade/

In light of the recent announcement that PRIDE participants would be subject to increased policing, metal detectors and discretionary admittance, several Grand Marshals and awardees of the “racial & economic justice” themed event are withdrawing from participation in the Pride Parade or Civic Center activities because of the unsafe conditions created for our communities by law enforcement. In the aftermath of the Orlando shooting that took the lives of dozens of queer people of color, many people in our community are afraid. For us, celebrating Pride this year meant choosing between the threat of homophobic vigilante violence and the threat of police violence. We had a tough decision to make, and ultimately we chose to keep our people safe by not participating in any event that would leave our communities vulnerable to either.

Organizational Grand Marshal Black Lives Matter withdrew their participation, citing the SFPD’s recent track record of racist scandal and killings of people of color, and noting that while first responders can be an incredible resource in crisis, they are too often the cause of harm in queer communities of color.

“The Black Lives Matter network is grateful to the people of San Francisco for choosing us, we choose you too,” said Malkia Cyril, a member of Black Lives Matter. “As queer people of color, we are disproportionately targeted by both vigilante and police violence. We know first hand that increasing the police presence at Pride does not increase safety for all people. Militarizing these events increases the potential for harm to our communities and we hope in the future SF Pride will consider community-centered approaches to security at pride events.”

Grand Marshal Janetta Johnson, Executive Director of the TGI Justice Project- an organization by and for trans, intersex and gender non conforming people in prisons, jails and detention centers – announced her decision to withdraw from the parade at a Pride press conference on Friday. “While I am thankful for this honor, and grateful to Pride for bringing our work to the front this year, the decision to add more police to Pride does not make me, or my community, more safe,” Johnson said.

Completely understandable, but...

[ghostsinthemachine]

1. Interesting...

One of them damned if I do, things....

[Bluenorthwest]

2. Everybody's your friend when it's all parades and cameras, the minute the bullets fly we always

stand alone. Same as it was in the 80's.

[msongs]

3. so if there's real trouble don't call the cops. got it nt

[KamaAina]

4. The cops have been CAUSING a lot of real trouble in SF

Highlight reel:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/104014366

http://www.democraticunderground.com/104013872

http://www.democraticunderground.com/104013751