As part of our ongoing conversation series LGSMigrants Learns, and in honour of the anniversary of the Stonewall uprising, this month’s theme is NO COPS AT PRIDE.
Pride began as an uprising against police brutality. The cops have always been a threat to our communities; they are not our friends. While police continue to persecute us - especially migrants, people of colour, Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities, sex workers and the unhoused - they have no place in our movements. With the cops at Pride, none of us can feel safe. Pride isn’t a party for corporations, the military and the police - it’s a protest.
Pride in London recently rejected calls for a ban on the Met police taking part in the parade. In light of this, we’ll talk to activists about how we can strengthen our calls for abolition, build coalitions, and get the police out of Pride.
First speakers announced:
Andrea Arnot, Executive Director of Vancouver Pride Society
Heloise, Baam Paris
About LGSM Learns:
LGSMigrants are hosting an ongoing conversation series with different groups and organisations relating to migrant and refugee rights, activism and solidarity, to find out what is happening and how we, as groups or individuals, can act in solidarity.
Safer Spaces Agreement:
By attending our events, you agree to our Safer Spaces Agreement. The basic tenet is respect. LGSMigrants is committed to making our events as safe as possible, whilst recognising that it’s not possible to create spaces that are completely safe for everyone.
- Respect each other (our backgrounds, identities, ideas and bodies) and respect the spaces we create together and are part of.
- Everyone has an equal right to be heard and an equal responsibility to listen – be aware of how people might express themselves differently to you.
- However strongly you feel about a particular topic, abuse is never tolerated. Respect other people’s right to speak.
- Any behaviour that demeans, marginalises or dominates others, or perpetuates hierarchies, is not welcome.
- Identify your own privileges – the things that sometimes give you an easier ride than others – and try to be aware of them.
- Be aware of the range of people’s identities (gender, race, class) and avoid making generalisations or assumptions about people.
- Be aware that anyone in the space could be a survivor of a particular form of oppression, for example, violence or racism.
- If someone is feeling uncomfortable, do not hesitate to raise this.
- It is everyone’s responsibility to challenge prejudice and oppression, and if we ignore it we are complicit in it