------------------------- Via Workers World News Service Reprinted from the Oct. 17, 2002 issue of Workers World newspaper -------------------------
HOMELESS, HUNGRY AND HARASSED: VILLAGE YOUTH FIGHT BACK WITH FIERCE! By Imani Henry New York On Oct. 5, just a stone's throw away from the historic Stonewall Inn, 350 young people participated in a rally, march and street festival of resistance against so-called quality of life laws. The event was sponsored by FIERCE!, which describes itself as a community organizing project for lesbian, gay, bi, two- spirit and trans (LGBTST) youth." FIERCE! launched the Save Our Space campaign in 2000. "A staggering 35 percent of New York's 22,000 homeless youth are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and two-spirit. These youth and many more call the West Village home, and it has been taken from us," explained Mervyn Marcano, a youth organizer with FIERCE! "We face constant threats of violence from police and residents. We are here to say 'No' to this harassment, and reclaim this space as a public space for all." FIERCE's Save Our Space campaign has gained grassroots and community support. Its goal is to dismantle quality-of-life policies, such as a 1:00 a.m. curfew on the Hudson River piers off the West Village. These policies have resulted in racial and gender profiling, vigilantism by West Village residents, and false arrests of queer youth of color. The day began at 1 p.m. with personal narratives from adult speakers, including LGBT activists Bob Kolber and Leslie Feinberg. Non-LGBT adult activists and organizations took shifts on security and logistics in solidarity with the youth. A multinational and politically diverse group worked together, including the NY Free Mumia Coalition, ACT-UP and South Asian and Palestinian movements. After a spirited march, a festival began at 5 p.m. at Christopher and Weehawken streets that included graffiti "battles" and an "Open Mic," a drag show and dance party. Free food and safer-sex kits were given away. Poets and singers then took center stage, including playwright Renita Martin and award-winning poet Letta Neely, who traveled from Boston to show her support for the youth. A problem with the sound equipment appeared to cancel out a dance party after the speak-out, to the disappointment of the youth and adult organizers. But just as the DJ was almost done putting away his equipment, Mark Remington, a manager at a local gay bar, ran down the street carrying sound equipment and speakers. With little fanfare, he set it up. For the last two years, Remington, a white gay man, has defended the rights of LGBT youth of color from harassment by residents and police brutality. His club, Chi Chi, has also been under attack by a group called Residents in Distress--whose acronym, RID, makes clear their racist attitude--and by the police because its bar caters to gay men of color. Organizers had secured sound permits until 9:00 p.m., but the NYPD forced them to shut down the event early, as more young people began to gather. The action showed the growing militancy of these youth and their supporters. More actions are planned in the coming months. "Youth in the West Village need more services. We don't need to be criminalized for our gender expression or race," says Laura Melendez. "Real solutions need to be in place to solve problems. We need jobs for transgender youth, affordable housing for homeless queer youth, and access to public space. Now that the piers are gone, LGBTST youth have nowhere to go where they are safe, but we will continue to fight for our space." For more information, call FIERCE! at (646) 336-6789, ext. 105. - END - (Copyright Workers World Service: Everyone is permitted to copy and distribute verbatim copies of this document, but changing it is not allowed. For more information contact Workers World, 55 W. 17 St., NY, NY 10011; via e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe [EMAIL PROTECTED] Support the voice of resistance http://www.workers.org/orders/donate.php) ------------------ This message is sent to you by Workers World News Service. To subscribe, E-mail to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, E-mail to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To switch to the DIGEST mode, E-mail to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Send administrative queries to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
