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DC DEMANDS JUSTICE FOR REKIA BOYD & FREDDIE GRAY

La Palabra collected voices from this past Wednesday’s Vigil for Rekia Boyd, Black Women, Trans Women & Girls here in DC. The vigil was held to honor the lives of Black women who are impacted by state sanctioned violence, and later turned into a march that met up with the #DCFerguson march in solidarity with the #BaltimoreUprising. Listen up for some truths about intersectionality, who is impacted by police violence, and the importance of uplifting Black women.

The crowd chants a quote by Assata Shakur: “It is our duty to fight for our freedom. It is our duty to win. We must love and support each other. We have nothing to lose but our chains.” 

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Last Friday, La Palabra rallied with striking Wal Mart workers outside the new Wal Mart at 1st and K St NW here in DC. Check out what rally participants & striking workers have to say about their experience with Wal Mart and what they are demanding to change it.

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WALKING WHILE TRANS FROM DC TO AZ Last Friday, La Palabra attended the #StandWithMonica rally, called by several DC organizations to stand in solidarity with Monica Jones on her trial date, April 11. Monica Jones, an advocate for transgender people and sex workers in Phoenix, AZ, was targeted for her activism and wrongfully arrested under a vague law targeting people perceived as sex workers. In DC, a similarly vague "Prostitution Free Zone" law is on the books and can be used to justify police harassment of perceived sex workers and contributes to the criminalization of trans women, particularly trans women of color. Listen up to hear more about how people are responding locally and nationally to defend the human rights of transgender people and sex workers. Harper Jean Tobin from the National Center for Transgender Equality tells us more about the case of Monica Jones; Kayley Whalen of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force discusses statistics that show how police bias against trans people is a national problem; and at-large City Councilmember David Grosso talks about the bill he introduced to get rid of Prostitution Free Zones in DC. For more info on the case of Monica Jones, visit http://www.swopphoenix.org/monica/

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AQUI ESTAMOS LAS KUMBIA QUEERS

Last Friday, La Palabra got to talk to Pilar and Juana of the Kumbia Queers, a cumbia band of chicas rockeras from Mexico and Argentina, after their super show at Judy Restaurant here in DC. The Kumbia Queers are breaking new ground, taking the best elements of cumbia and punk to create a unique and energizing sound: TROPIPUNK! Pilar and Juana discuss how they began to play cumbia and the prejudices that both cumbia and punk rock face throughout Latin America. From a gay pride march in Argentina to a queer, anticapitalist counter-march to a gay pride parade in Berlin, LISTEN UP to find out where and how they bring their music to new levels--independently of the music industry.

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El viernes pasado, La Palabra habló con Pilar y Juana de las Kumbia Queers, un grupo cumbia de chicas rockeras desde Mexico y Argentina, después de su show en Judy Restaurant aquí en DC. Las Kumbia Queers están rompiendo fronteras de la música, y con elementos de cumbia y punk, han creado su propio sonido único: TROPIPUNK! Pilar y Juana discultan como empezaron a tocar la cumbia y las prejuicias contra cumbia y también contra la música punk en América Latina. De una marcha de orgullo gay en Argentina hasta un queer, anticapitalista contramarcha a una marcha de orgullo gay en Berlin, ESCUCH@N para averiguar dónde y cómo traen su música hasta niveles nuevos--independentamente de la indústria musical.

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THE PEOPLE UNITED ARE TOO BIG TO FAIL

Home Defenders take on big banks at the DOJ

On Monday, May 20, activists, homeowners, and people affected by foreclosures rallied at the Department of Justice. These home defenders want justice around the foreclosure crisis; they to know why banks received government support, but homeowners and low-income people are put out on the street when these big banks foreclose upon their homes. Hear stories from across the country about people's experiences with foreclosure, and why they're here in DC to demand justice.

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You Can Not Have My School - MacFarland Middle School

This parent originally from Baltimore has dealt with school closures there before now in DC she is faced with the same problem.  Check out her story here. 

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You Can Not Have My School - MacFarland Middle School

This parent and her family are originally from Baltimore and dealt with school closures there, now in DC her family is faced with the same threat again.  Listen to her words of advice for DC residents. This problem is truly a national one and we must resist these school closures on a national level. 

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You Can Not Have My School - Student Voice

Check out what these young ladies from River Terrace Elementary have to say about their school being closed.  Their words are truth and powerful!  Please listen and share!

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You Can Not Have My School - Kenilworth Elementary

Check out their stories here

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You Can Not Have My School - Kenilworth Elementary

Check out what a Father, Mother and Grandmother who have children at Kenilworth Elementary, which is slated for closure, have to say about the Mayor's and Chancellor's plan to close it.  These folks are very clear on the discriminatory nature of these school closings!

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Last week, La Palabra attended the Rally for Trans Health and Economic Justice in Columbia Heights. The rally took place in the wake of the DC government's recent clarification of a law that makes it illegal for health insurance companies to discriminate against individuals based on their transgender status. While this is a step forward, trans people still face many barriers to accessing healthcare--check out what Bryce, Camila, and EmJ have to say. We need holistic assistance for people, especially low-income trans folks of color, and this includes access to housing and jobs in addition to healthcare non-discrimination.

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Joy, a parent from Shaw @ Garnet-Patterson is fighting for true access to quality public schools.

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You Can Not Have My School - Shaw @ Garnet-Patterson

Joy is a parent at Shaw @ Garnet-Patterson middle school in Ward 1 which is slated to close.  Her children/family have already been through several school closures in their short lives.  Listen to the TRUTH Joy knows about the impact of school closures as well as the real reasons behind more Public School closures.

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Tamara from Sharpe Health will not give her school up with out a fight!

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You Can Not Have My School

Tamara is a parent from Sharpe Health School in Ward 4.  Sharpe is 1 of 2 DCPS schools that serve students with special needs. Listen to Tamara's powerful first hand knowledge of how her child will be affected if Sharpe closes and she also has a very clear message for Mayor Gray and Chancellor Henderson. 

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You Can Not Have My School

Parents from Ferebee-Hope who are fighting for their school to stay open!

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You Can Not Have My School

Another parent from Ferebee-Hope explains the real effects of school closures in our city!