New Orleans, LA – Activists convened in an open forum, June 22, hosted by members of an LGBTQ delegation that visited Cuba in early May. About 25 others joined virtually. Gregory William from the Women in Struggle / Mujeres en Lucha and Serena Sojic-Borne of Real Name Campaign New Orleans spoke as delegation members. Speaker Verde Gil Jimenez, a coordinating member of the Trans Masculine Group of Cuba, attended remotely from Santa Clara.
New Orleans, LA – On May 22, workers at Starbucks on Poydras Street won their union election in an 11 to 5 vote. This is the second Starbucks to unionize in the state of Louisiana and the first with a majority-Black workplace. Baristas complain of unpredictable schedules, insufficient hours, lack of seniority-based promotions, and unsafe working conditions. On Mardi Gras day, a customer reached across the bar to punch a barista. Corporate only approved that customer’s ban after the union drive began, months later.
New Orleans, LA – On a sunny afternoon, May 1, about 70 demonstrators took to the streets downtown for May Day. They marched from the statue of Benito Juárez at Basin and Conti Street to City Hall. The event commemorated International Workers Day, a celebration of workers’ and immigrants’ struggles for our freedom and dignity.
Baton Rouge, LA – On April 12, around 50 LGBTQ people and their supporters gathered for a united march at the Louisiana State Capitol building. The protest was mainly attended by transgender teens from across Louisiana, flying trans flags and waving signs. LGBTQ minors are the target of at least ten right-wing bills in the state legislature. These bills include potential bans on LGBTQ-themed books, restrictions on trans medical care, and bans on teachers using correct names and pronouns.
New Orleans, LA – On April 14, employees at the Starbucks on Poydras Street filed for a union election with the National Labor Relations Board. The store is located in a downtown hotel building, mainly serving tourists, professionals and workers in the area. Over 70% of staff support unionizing.
New Orleans, LA – On Friday, March 31, hundreds marched from Washington Square Park to Jackson Square to celebrate Trans Day of Visibility. The marchers also gathered in response to nine anti-LGBTQ bills being considered by the Louisiana legislature. These bills reflect a growing crisis of targeted attacks against LGBTQ youth.
New Orleans, LA – On Friday, March 31, close to 300 students at Benjamin Franklin High School walked out of school during last period. They demanded a stop to bills in the Louisiana legislature that target LGBTQ kids. Students gathered on the school’s front lawn to hear speeches by their trans classmates. The event coincided with national Trans Day of Visibility.
New Orleans, LA – On Tuesday March 28, dozens of students at Loyola University of New Orleans and the University of New Orleans hung banners at their respective schools displaying the slogans: “Defend diversity, equity and inclusion,” “Protect student multicultural organizations” and “Increase Black enrollment!”
New Orleans, LA – On March 22, a group of LGBTQ activists interrupted a public interview with Governor John Bel Edwards at Loyola University. They unfurled a banner reading “Gov. Edwards: Will you veto hate?” Ed Abraham, the main protest speaker, demanded that Edwards commit to vetoing all bills threatening LGBTQ rights in the Louisiana legislature. Edwards did not deliver a commitment, and Loyola police removed protesters from the venue. The activists left chanting, “Defend trans kids! Veto hate!”
![Panel attendees show solidarity in front of Pride flag reading 'Cuba Sí, Bloqueo](https://i.snap.as/0vufvyMK.jpg "Panel attendees show solidarity in front of Pride flag reading 'Cuba Sí, Bloqueo Panel attendees show solidarity in front of Pride flag reading 'Cuba Sí, Bloqueo No!\\" \(Fight Back! News/staff\)")
