Taking Back Pride in Minneapolis
Minneapolis, MN – On June 25 hundreds came together to protest the city-sanctioned Twin Cities Pride parade. Now in its seventh year, the Taking Back Pride protest was a powerful display of solidarity amongst several organizations that demand that there be no cops and corporations at Pride.
Speakers at the action made the connection to attacks on the LGBTQ community nationwide and local struggles. Even though Minnesota was recently designated a sanctuary state for trans people, attendees were reminded that the struggle for trans rights is ongoing, and that concrete protections, housing and economic assistance are needed as trans people from red states flee to Minnesota. With over 500 anti-trans bills being voted on across the country in 2023, many speeches warned TC Pride attendees against complacency. Protesters carried signs that reminded onlookers that LGBTQ liberation should be at the forefront of every Pride and to fight back against the attacks of right-wing legislation like that in Florida and other states.
The march made its way through Loring Park where the Pride Festival was held. Jae Yates, an organizer with the Twin Cities Coalition for Justice for Jamar and Freedom Road Socialist Organization, co-emceed with Jaelynne Palmer, another member of TCC4J. A few sympathetic festival organizers got Yates onto the main stage. Once there, they reminded festival goers why there continues to be a protest at the parade and festival each year, pointing out that organizers of TC Pride continue to be tone deaf to community demands to keep cops and corporations out of Pride.