Radical People of Color Take their Messages to the Streets

Radical People of Color Take their Messages to the Streets

Hundreds of radical, anti-authoritarian, and anarchist people of color marched as a contingent within the enormous United For Peace and Justice march in New York City on August 29. The informal bloc included individuals who identify as anarchist people of color, some white allies, and many local community groups. A high-spirited delegation of over fifty anti-imperialist activists of color from the Bay Area named “Siafuâ€- a Swahili name for an ant known to travel in swarms of up to 20 million and take down animals as large as elephants- flew in from the Bay Area in California to collaborate in this week’s mass protests of the Republican National Convention.

The atmosphere was festive and energized as activists clapped, shouted, and sang while marching with over 250,000 people to Madison Square Garden where the conventions are being held.

“Justice for the Third World now!
“Shout it out: Revolution! Enough is enough! The people must rise up!â€
“Bush! Get out!â€

Tensions flared briefly when at least a dozen “protest warriorsâ€- right wing counter-protesters carrying signs reading slogans such as “New York Welcomes the RNC. Now Go F*@# Yourself!†pushed through the march, dividing the bloc of people of color. Several antagonistic individuals were verbally combative toward activists of color but were quickly contained by other marchers and even the police.

“It’s important for us to be here in order to make the point that as people of color we are most directly affected by Republican policies of war both at home and abroad. In the US we bear the brunt of cuts in funding for education, increased militarism in our neighborhoods, as well as racist scapegoating of immigrants. Abroad we fight against corporate globalization, capitalism, and imperialism like we always have. We will continue to fight for justice- and right now that begins with ousting Bush from his illegitimate office,†commented one young woman who chose not to give her name.

Many of the marchers- who organize with community groups around issues ranging from queer liberation to tenant’s rights, police brutality to healthcare- are also involved in the Still We Rise coalition. Still We Rise represents over 35 organizations that work day to day with and are led by poor people and people of color to create tangible changes in their lives. The coalition included New Yorkers who are homeless, living with HIV/AIDS, struggling with the welfare system, and who have experienced repressive drug laws and the criminal justice system. Still We Rise will be marching on August 30. #file_2# #file_3# http://www.stillwerise.org http://www.illegalvoices.org/apoc