No PRIDE in occupation, Break the Chains of Empire (NEW)

On Sunday, June 29th, at this year's San Francisco Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Parade, under the banner “No PRIDE in occupation, Break the Chains of Empire”, the A.N.S.W.E.R. contingent had a spectacular float marching against the Bush administration's right-wing agenda of war, racism and anti-LGBT bigotry.

As LGBTSTI and Queer people we understand what it means to be silenced, used as scapegoats, and targeted with violence for being who we are. This is experienced more intensely for those of us that are people of color and of Trans experience.

For these reasons we feel it is crucial in this current political climate to make anti-war organizing and the fight against racism -- here at home and abroad -- a priority for our movement!

· We oppose the Bush administration’s so-called "War On Terrorism" and demand that the billions of dollars being spent to wage war on or occupy countries around the world, be spent here in the US instead, on human needs such as: jobs, education, health care, AIDS, job training, affordable housing, environmental clean up etc.

· We oppose the racist detention and deportation of immigrants, the police brutality and INS round ups in communities of color -- especially towards Muslim and South Asian communities.

· We will not allow our movement to be divided based on race, nation of origin, language, gender, sexuality, gender expression, income, size, ability, age, etc. We respect and will take leadership from those groups who are especially targeted by war at home and abroad, namely, People of Color, immigrants, Trans people, the homeless, sex workers, and young people, etc. We believe that through these principles, we can build a unified movement not only to fight for the liberation of LGBT & Queer people, but for the liberation of all peoples.

· We are proud of our radical history as LGBTSTI peoples. The 1969 Stonewall Rebellion -- the forerunner to Pride celebrations across the countries -- was a 3-day battle in the streets of NYC against racist police brutality and Queer oppression. We are inspired by the leadership of those combatants, many of whom were transgender, people of color, and or homeless.

This is why we call for 2003 LGBT Pride celebrations to return back to their radical foundations! And we are determined to do all in our power to demonstrate that LGBTSTI & Queer people are opposed to the racist, warmongering policies of the Bush administration.
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View the 11 minute 45 second video (NEW). This streaming video is in Windows Media format and is best viewed over a high speed connection.