06/03/2020
Red Rainbow PDX stands in solidarity with the protests against police violence across the country. Red Rainbow condemns all forms of police violence, especially the heinous murders of black people including George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. As we know from the tragic murder of Tony McDade, LGBTQ people are included as targets of racist policing. We also know that the first pride was an anti-cop riot. It is only through the abolition of police that we can achieve a safe and secure world for working people everywhere.
The struggle against police violence is part of the LGBTQ struggle. Half of transgender people are afraid to turn to the police. 1 in 5 have been harassed and one in 20 have been assaulted by police due to anti-trans bias. A disproportionate number of these cases have been black transgender people.* The struggle against police violence must be led by black voices and LGBTQ voices.
The police in America institutionally descend from slave catchers and exist specifically to harass and control black people and other people of color, and to maintain the capitalist status quo. To stand in solidarity with black people, all Americans must unite and call for the defunding and abolition of the police. The police and military are the backbone of this imperialist, racist, homophobic, transphobic, capitalist country and only after their abolition can we achieve a free people and an equitable society.
*www.transequality.org
For folks looking to donate to the cause, here are two options:
Black and Pink, bail fund for black LGBTQ+ folks
secure.actblue.com/donate/black---pink-1
Portland GDC bail support fund
bit.ly/pdxlegsupport