Last Friday, students from Classical, Central, and PCTA walked out of class in opposition to anti-trans legislation across the country, including here in Rhode Island.
(photo courtesy of Logan Gomes)
The students demanded that Governor McKee pledge not to sign proposed bills S2501 and H7539 (or any other similar anti-trans legislation). S2501 would prohibit sports leagues from allowing trans athletes to participate on their gender’s team. H7539 would prohibit schools from teaching critical race theory or including gender dysphoria in sex education curriculum.
(photo courtesy of Joeseph Chirinos)
“These bills are an attack on the lives of trans children,” said organizer Emet (the protests’ organizers asked we use their first names only).
(Photo courtesy of Madison)
Organizers also called on Governor McKee to give funds to the victims of transmisogyny and on Mayor Elorza to remove SROs from Providence Schools and defund the Providence Police Department. All of their demands (linked here) are aimed at making marginalized students feel welcome in their schools and city.
(Photo courtesy of Madison)
After hearing speeches from organizers Eisley, Anya, and Emet, the students began their march to the State Capitol.
(Photo courtesy of Joeseph Chirinos)
“They told us to die; we chose to live,” they chanted.
(Photo courtesy of Avari Escobar)
Organizers Jojo, Luka, Eugenie, and Malachi delivered impassioned speeches from the steps of the Rhode Island General Assembly. The crowd chanted a quote from poet Gwendolyn Brooks: “We are each other’s harvest; we are each other’s business; we are each other’s magnitude and bond.”
(Photo courtesy of Raphael Quiroga)
Governor McKee has yet to respond to the students’ demands or condemn anti-trans legislation in Rhode Island or across the country. Organizers ask those students who walked out to continue the fight by contacting their state legislators. They ended the rally by chanting the phone number of State Rep. Patricia Morgan, who introduced H7539:
“(401) 862-3040!”