Palestine contingent in Baltimore Pride Parade met with applause

June 14 – The energy was electric at this year’s Baltimore Pride Parade, as activists in the Palestine contingent, led by the People’s Power Assembly and Struggle for Socialism Party, marched on the parade route for a mile on North Charles Street up to Wyman Park Dell near Johns Hopkins University. This marks the second straight year in Baltimore Pride’s history that such a pro-Palestine contingent has participated. 

Historically, the People’s Power Assembly has strived to set the more political tone at Pride amidst the endless sea of rainbow capitalist sponsors, which was especially crucial for this moment, as Israel continues its all out genocidal assault on the people of Gaza and now is trying to initiate a fully U.S.-backed regional war against anti-imperialist and anti-Zionist Iran. 

A large Palestine flag was held front and center alongside three main banners: “No Pride in Genocide, $$ for Gender-Affirming Healthcare, not War,” “Stonewall Still Means Fight Back,” and “Black Trans Lives Matter — ‘Be yourself, the world will adjust’ – Manabi Bandyopadhyay.” Drummers flanked each side.

Connecting the current migrant liberation struggle in L.A. (against ICE raids and National Guard / Marines terror) to the roots of the queer liberation struggle, participants chanted “Stonewall was a riot! We will not be quiet!” and “Power to the people! No one is illegal!” which drew roaring cheers from the crowd. Local rapper and activist Slim Rob also performed a solo rap during the march, which further hyped up both the contingent and the crowd.

People in the contingent distributed copies of the Struggle-La Lucha paper, which contained flyers advertising both the “Free Kilmar! Free Them All!” Car Caravan happening in the city on June 28, as well as the Defend Black History Petition to Rename the Francis Scott Key Bridge to either the Frederick Douglass or Harriet Tubman Memorial Bridge. So many people wanted copies because they were drawn by the cover page depicting the current struggle in L.A. against ICE raids; the folks distributing had to keep running back to the supplies wagon to grab more papers until they eventually ran out! 

The crowd response was overwhelmingly positive and supportive. Some participants even noted the increase in onlookers wearing keffiyehs in solidarity and signs reading “ABOLISH ICE” or “ACAB.” Now imagine if all those supportive people in the crowd took to the streets with us and joined in the struggle!