On November 20, which is Transgender Day of Remembrance, two demonstrations were scheduled for the same time in New Haven, Ct. : a trans speakout and an emergency immigrant rights action. In an impromptu show of solidarity, both expressed their support for the other, and briefly united as one.
“This is the same system of incarceration that targets the transgender community and the immigrant community,” one immigrant rights demonstrator repeated in English and Spanish, “Half measures are not acceptable and we’re going to fight for full justice.”
The immigration rally was called in response to the executive order issued by the president, in which 5 million immigrants are temporarily shielded from deportation. While this action is being lauded as an important, progressive move for immigrant communities, those affected by the brutality of deportations state that it’s far from enough. In his speech, Obama bragged about the deportations he has facilitated, more than any other president. The rally demanded full amnesty and equal rights for immigrant communities, which are superexploited for their labor in the U.S. while facing inhumane treatment.
The Trans Day of Remembrance action, which was co-organized by the Justice for Jane coalition, the Party for Socialism and Liberation and the Office of LGBTQ Resources at Yale, started with a community rally and speakout, where people in attendance came up in turn to share their stories. The messages ranged from ones of gratitude for the solidarity the community was showing to recollections of personal experiences and friends and loved ones lost to anti-trans hate crimes. Approximately 35 people attended the rally.
Zong Xuan, a genderqueer Yale student, spoke powerfully about the need for queer people with access to resources and education to engage in fightback. “We are not part of the problem, but if we don’t stand up and fight for our community, we might as well be.”
The rally also paid tribute to Jane Doe, a 16-year-old Latina trans girl incarcerated in a boys’ facility by the Department of Children and Families. Protestors called for freedom and justice for Jane.
Trans Day of Remembrance started with the still-unsolved murder of Black trans woman Rita Hester in Allston, Mass. on November 28, 1998. Across the world, November 20 marks a day of commemoration of all trans lives lost to hate crimes.
In New Haven, the rally turned into a march, with chants like “Trans Lives Matter!” and “Trans lives taken – shut it down! Not one more life – shut it down! The whole damn system – shut it down!” The demonstration ended at Battell Chapel, where a vigil took place, featuring music and a reading of the names of some trans people murdered this year. Maya, a young trans woman attending the vigil, spoke at the end of it, urging people to remain in the streets, fighting to prevent the taking of trans lives.
Her speech followed that of Ebele, a genderqueer attendee, who called out the names of Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson, Black trans leaders of the original Stonewall Rebellion. People emerged from the event with a renewed sense of urgency to fight back against a system that destroys lives and protects bigots.