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Black Lives Matter NYC published an open letter June 25 on Medium, criticizing NYC Pride for the high levels of police presence, and for the NYPD vehicles decorated with Pride decals.

"As many people in NYC fawn over the NYPDs participation in Pride events," states the letter. "We cannot forget the dangers that one of the biggest military forces poses to Black communities."

Other cities' police departments have come under similar criticism for Pride-themed decals on police vehicles, while simultaneously facing documented accounts of targeted brutality.

NYC Pride is not the only Pride event to face such criticism. Many cities have faced tensions between LGBTQ and racial justice activists, as conversations about access, and inclusiveness continue. The Black Lives Matter NYC open letter specifcally stands in solidarity with a similar movement in Toronto, where the Black Lives Matter local chapter chose not to attend Pride.

The letter goes on to present examples of recent police brutality towards black communities, specifically black LGBTQ communities. Cases of trans women facing targeted abuse by NYPD, and numerous other examples of violence.

Black Lives Matter NYC is calling for the end of predatory policing and a divestment from NYPD's $4.8 billion a year budget to be refocused into community building programs and social work services.

"The companies could support the local borough Prides that are led by Black & Brown organizers, often with little to no budget, in order to provide a safe-space for people of color."

The letter also addresses the issue of corporate sponsorship, which has been a developing dividing factor within the LGBTQ community.

Our issue is that it's great if people are able to put out these messages of support," said Allen Frimpong, of Black Lives Matter NYC, about corporate sponsorship, in a comment to The FADER. "But that this support isnt backing these communities program.

NYC Pride's leading sponsors are T-Mobile and Walmart, and are followed by 54 more corporate sponsors, which have contributed a total of $1.7 million to NYC Pride.

"It's not enough to put out a van, Frimpong continued. What are we saying when these issues go unaddressed? Were recognizing that we can put all this money into Pride, but people are still getting shot by the police.

Frimpong told The FADER that he wasn't sure what was next, but that he hoped a dialogue with NYC Pride organizers would begin "about the safety of black and brown folks," and spaces where these communities, communities like Bushwick and East New York, can have freedom of self determination and to fully express themselves.

"We can no longer support spaces where those who kill us with impunity, are allowed to march beside us," ends the statement, written by Kei Williams and outlined by Kleaver Cruz. "We can no longer support spaces where those who kill us with impunity, are allowed to patrol a day of celebration. We are here for Pride, but not like this."

You can read the full letter here.

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Black Lives Matter NYC Published Open Letter Criticizing NYC Pride - The FADER

Photo: GENNA MARTIN, SEATTLEPI.COM

Scenes from the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

Scenes from the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

Scenes from the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

Scenes from the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

The Dykes on Bikes lead the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

The Dykes on Bikes lead the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

Jack Jungbluth, 4, watches the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

Jack Jungbluth, 4, watches the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

Members of Black Lives Matter sit down on 4th Avenue, blocking the Seattle Pride Parade from proceeding for 30 minutes, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

Members of Black Lives Matter sit down on 4th Avenue, blocking the Seattle Pride Parade from proceeding for 30 minutes, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

Alyssa Pablo watches the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

Alyssa Pablo watches the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

Members of ROTC: Righteously Outrageous Twirling Corps perform during the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

Members of ROTC: Righteously Outrageous Twirling Corps perform during the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

Scenes from the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

Scenes from the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

Scenes from the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

Scenes from the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

Scenes from the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

Scenes from the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

Scouts from Troop 98 Rainier hold pride flags during the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

Scouts from Troop 98 Rainier hold pride flags during the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

Scenes from the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

Scenes from the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

The Dykes on Bikes lead the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

The Dykes on Bikes lead the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

The Dykes on Bikes lead the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

The Dykes on Bikes lead the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

Two members of the Dykes on Bikes steal a smooch before leading the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

Two members of the Dykes on Bikes steal a smooch before leading the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

A woman dressed as Wonder Woman rides in the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

A woman dressed as Wonder Woman rides in the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

People watch from a balcony overlooking the Seattle Pride Parade route, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

People watch from a balcony overlooking the Seattle Pride Parade route, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

The Boy Scouts of America lead the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

The Boy Scouts of America lead the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence walk in the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence walk in the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

Katie Jensen (left), Mikala Kim (center), and Anna Russell-Sessun watch the Seattle Pride Parade as it goes down 4th Avenue, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

Katie Jensen (left), Mikala Kim (center), and Anna Russell-Sessun watch the Seattle Pride Parade as it goes down 4th Avenue, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

Scenes from the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

Scenes from the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

Scenes from the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

Scenes from the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

Scenes from the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

Scenes from the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

Scenes from the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

Scenes from the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

Scenes from the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

Scenes from the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

Scenes from the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

Scenes from the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

Members of Black Lives Matter link arms across 4th Avenue and block the Seattle Pride Parade for 30 minutes, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

Members of Black Lives Matter link arms across 4th Avenue and block the Seattle Pride Parade for 30 minutes, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

Members of Black Lives Matter link arms across 4th Avenue and block the Seattle Pride Parade for 30 minutes, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

Members of Black Lives Matter link arms across 4th Avenue and block the Seattle Pride Parade for 30 minutes, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

A Roller Derby girl fixes her skates along the route of the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

A Roller Derby girl fixes her skates along the route of the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

Scenes from the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

Scenes from the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

Scenes from the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

Scenes from the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

Scenes from the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

Scenes from the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

The Dykes on Bikes prepare to lead the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

The Dykes on Bikes prepare to lead the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

The Dykes on Bikes lead the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

The Dykes on Bikes lead the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

People watch from balcony overlooking the Seattle Pride Parade route, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

People watch from balcony overlooking the Seattle Pride Parade route, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

Scenes from the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

Scenes from the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

Scenes from the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

Scenes from the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

Scenes from the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

Scenes from the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

Scenes from the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

Scenes from the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

A pride flag tops the Space Needle during the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

A pride flag tops the Space Needle during the Seattle Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

Originally posted here:
BLM marchers briefly interrupt Pride Parade - seattlepi.com

Rioters threw projectiles at the police line and set fire to bins at the demonstration in Forest Hill in the borough of Newham.

The protest was called after the death of Edir Frederico Da Costa, 25, on the 21st of June, six days after Metropolitan Police officers in Newham stopped him in a car.

Activists claim he was beaten by police and left with a broken neck. However, the Independent Police Complaints Commission said a preliminary post-mortem indicated there were no spinal injuries caused by police, The Times reports.

In total, six police officers were injured, with one male officer sustaining facial injuries and a female officer suffered a head injury, the force revealed in a statement.

The protest of around 200 people started on Sunday afternoon with people holding Black Lives Matter signs made by a group called Stand Up to Racism, which is connected to the disgraced Socialist Workers Party.

Echoing the Black Lives Matter movement in the U.S., they chanted: No justice, peace! Fuck the police!

Signs bearing the logo of the Movement for Justice (MfJ) group can also bee seen in photographs the same open-borders organisation that called the Day of Rage protest last week that aimed to shut down London and bring down the government.

As the sun set, things turned violent. Four rioters were arrested for the offences of arson, disorder, and criminal damages. Helicopters were scrambledand roads were closed in the demonstration, which continued until at least 3 am.

The Metropolitan Police said: On Sunday, 25 June a protest occurred outside Forest Gate police station, with the protesters later moving on to the Stratford area.

The protest returned to the police station, where a number of objects were thrown towards officers.

A small number of roadway fires involving the contents of litter bins were started; these were dealt with by the London Fire Brigade. We are not aware of any damage to local buildings.

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VIDEO: Black Lives Matter Riots in London, Police Attacked, Fires Lit - Breitbart News

By Hina AlamStaff Reporter Emma McIntoshStaff Reporters

Sun., June 25, 2017

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau led thousands of revellers under a rain of glitter and colour at the Torontos Pride parade Sunday. This years march, which had a theme of inclusivity, had two conspicuous absences through most of the afternoon: uniformed police and Black Lives Matter (BLM), the activist group that disrupted last years march.

BLM did show up toward the end of the parade, despite not being officially registered. Protesters chanted Black Lives Matter in all-black outfits as they raised their fists in the air near Yonge and College Sts., the same place where the group held up the parade last year.

May we never again have to mourn another life like that of Andrew Loku, read one of the signs, referring to the fatal shooting of a black man by Toronto police in 2015.

Wherever they go, black folks will resist their presence, activist Rodney Diverlus said of police.

Tweets from BLM organizers said this years Pride parade was more inclusive and accessible because of their activism.

Their protest did not bring a halt to the main parade, which had already passed.

First Nations National Chief Perry Bellegarde, who walked alongside Trudeau at the front of the parade with a group of Indigenous activists close behind, was the first in his post to march in the Toronto Pride parade.

There were no closets in our teepees, Bellegarde said earlier in the day, referring to the historic importance of two-spirited people to First Nations communities.

I feel the energy in the air, said Bellegarde, dressed in a sky-blue shirt with rainbow stripes running across his shoulders and chest. He said he was excited to be at his first Pride parade: The caring. The compassion. The love. The acceptance.

Trudeau was joined by his wife, Sophie Grgoire Trudeau, and their children Xavier and Ella-Grace. Grgoire Trudeau waved a rainbow flag, one of the symbols of the LGBTQ community.

This is all about including people, Trudeau sporting a temporary rainbow maple leaf tattoo on his cheek told media shortly before the parade began.

Its all about how we celebrate the multiple layers of identities that make Canada extraordinary and strong, and today we celebrate with the entire LGBTQ community.

Trudeau also wished the crowd a happy Pride Mubarak, a play on words referring to the end-of-Ramadan celebrations happening in the Muslim community Sunday celebrations Trudeau honoured with a pair of brightly coloured socks.

Trudeau last year became the first sitting prime minister to march in the parade.

Also joining this years march were Premier Kathleen Wynne and Toronto Mayor John Tory.

Many in the roaring, rainbow-clad crowd perched on rooftops and ledges, cheering as each float went by.

Jason and Daniel Northway-Frank, wearing blue T-shirts reading dada and daddee, have been coming to the parade since 1995. They said they come to honour friends and family.

Its supportive of diversity, Jason said.

Pride organizers asked Toronto police not to march in uniform this year one of BLMs demands from the 2016 sit-in.

Instead, dozens marched in uniform with members of the New York Police Department at the New York Pride parade Sunday.

Its sad that were not able to actually march in the parade, but I understand the chiefs decision, said acting superintendent Steve Molyneaux of the Toronto polices 51 division. Were still here to police it and make sure its safe and make sure everyone has a good time.

BLM has argued that allowing uniformed officers at the parade could discourage marginalized communities from attending.

The police not in uniform is really significantly important, especially to people of colour, said Tori Cress, an Anishinaabe activist who walked with the Indigenous march. Those are things that we equate to violence historically.

At the Faith and Pride service before the parade, Rev. Brent Hawkes, senior pastor at the Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto, asked people to come together to celebrate their differences. Fat raindrops briefly fell from the rumbling, lightning-filled skies, sending people scrambling and ending the service early.

Inclusion is the core value in our community and as long as a group or a company supports LGBT equality, then in my opinion, welcome aboard, he said.

Because I probably wear a uniform that represents the group that has done the most damage to the LGBT community the Christian church, he said. So I would say dont ban whats offensive to some, reform it to the benefit of everyone.

Hawkes, who has led the service for more than 20 years, is due to retire at the end of the year.

Around the corner from the main festivities on Church St., a crowd of about 100 gathered for an Indigenous opening ceremony called the Spirit Within, which was also interrupted by the brief downpour.

The ceremony opened with a prayer by Ma-Nee Chacaby, a two-spirited person of the Beaver Clan from Thunder Bay.

Were here just to walk, Chacaby said. To be visible. To show were proud to be who we are, especially the two-spirited people.

Bellegarde and Indigenous Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett, who was decked out in a red top hat and rainbow ribbon skirt, also spoke at the ceremony, each touching on similar themes.

It is important for First Nations to be represented at Pride because studies have shown that LGBTQ and two-spirited Indigenous people are subjected to more violence and oppression than others, Bellegarde said.

Its all about acceptance.

Tory said he was excited to be at Pride, but touched on the controversies that hit the parade last year.

Its a bit bittersweet because we have a few issues to address, he said.

More than 150 other groups, including the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, the Canadian Armed Forces, Google Canada, Metrolinx and Sick Kids hospital, participated in the parade. The theme for this years pride was the plus sign, representing inclusivity.

With files from Star staff and The Canadian Press

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Here is the original post:
Inclusivity energizes Toronto Pride parade - Toronto Star

How discouraged should Democrats be after failing to win any of the four recent House special elections to fill vacancies? The losses, most recently of Jon Ossoff, in Georgias 6th district, triggered a blame game, directed against House leader Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic National Committee, the tacticians of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, and candidate Ossoff himself.

For starters, consider the numbers. Every one of these races was a long shot, and in every case the Democrat did notably better than his counterpart in 2014 or 2016.

Ossoff lost by 3.7 points. In 2016, the Democrat lost the seat by 16.2 points. In other words, Ossoff improved the Democratic performance by more than 12 points.

Likewise in the Kansas 4th district election of April 11, Democrat James Thompson lost by 6.8 points. But in the 2016 election, the Democrat lost by a massive 24.6 percent. The swing was 17.8 points to the Democrat.

In South Carolinas 5th district election June 20, a sleeper race which did not compete seriously for national funding, Democrat Archie Parnell lost by just 3.2 pointsless than 3,000 votesand benefited from a swing of over 10 points compared to 2016. Even in the May contest for Montanas at large seat, Democrat Rob Quist gained 2.7 points relative to the 2016 House race, and did almost 11 points better than Trump.

The average Democratic gain in these four long-shot races was about ten points. If that average were to hold nationwide in 2018, Democrats would comfortably take back the House.

But what about the charge that House leader Nancy Pelosi, at 77 and representing liberal San Francisco, presents the wrong image for the national party? Republican Karen Handel, who won the Georgia seat, made Pelosi her target. Her first ad declared:

Nancy Pelosis hand-picked candidate, Jon Ossoff, who doesnt even live in the district, is not one of us and cannot be trusted to stand up for Georgias 6th District. It is clear by the overwhelming support from D.C. liberals, Ossoff would be nothing more than another Pelosi lackey in Congress falling in line with House Democrats and out of touch with Georgia values.

In the wake of Ossoffs defeat, Ohios Congressman Tim Ryan, who challenged Pelosi for the leadership last November (and was trounced in the House Democratic Caucus, 134-63), resumed his drumbeat of criticism of the leadership, saying that the Democratic brand was toxic in much of the country where Democrats were seen as not being able to connect with the issues they care about.

Our brand is worse than Trump, he said flatly.

Its certainly true that Hillary Clinton in 2016 failed to connect to working class voters on the issue of economic distress. But its a bit much to pin that on Pelosi.

Throughout the Obama years, Pelosi was much more of an economic progressive than either Obama or Clinton, opposing trade deals like the Trans Pacific Partnership, and pushing hard for increased stimulus spending. She has also been superb at holding the House Democratic caucus together.

Ryan, for his part, is trying to carve out a role as more conservative on social issues but populist on economic issues like reviving manufacturing. He opposed abortion, but then flipped in 2015 and announced his support for reproductive choice. He also has interesting views for a social conservative, being a big supporter of the local food revolution and an active practitioner of meditation.

Ryan may well have a future as a national Democratic leader, but Nancy Pelosi is the wrong scapegoat. And if you listen to the adjectives tossed around, there is whiff of sexism in the air. Search the words: Pelosi, shrill, woman of a certain age, and hectoring, and youll get the drift.

Republicans have been running against Nancy Pelosi and the San Francisco Democrats since at least 1988. That didnt stop Barack Obama from being electedtwiceon a message of hope. And if Hillary Clinton paid too little attention to the working class in between picking up checks from Goldman Sachs, that was hardly Nancy Pelosis fault.

Ossoff himself did not run a great campaign, but in an affluent suburban district of Atlanta, its not clear that he would have done better as an economic populist. (He might have done better had he lived in the district.)

What is clear is that the campaign professionals at the Democratic National Committee and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee were asleep at the switch, with the obsessive focus on the Ossoff race. The races in Kansas and South Carolina, it turned out, were more winnable, but got almost no attention or resources.

Bottom line: Even though there were no gains of seats, there was an impressive swing to the Democrats in these four races that portends major pickups in 2018. Georgias 6th district was number 71 on the list of likely Democratic gains based on its recent voting history. The Democrats need only 24 to take back the House. That said, the Democrats do need to pick up their game and become a lot more strategic about their campaigns.

Robert Kuttner is co-editor of The American Prospect and professor at Brandeis Universitys Heller School. His latest book is Debtors Prison: The Politics of Austerity Versus Possibility.

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Read more:
Cheer Up, Democrats - HuffPost