Tuesday, November 7, 12noon-3pm, 77 N. Front St. to 375 S. High St.

On Saturday, June 17, during the Columbus Pride Parade, a group of Black queer and trans people and allies gathered with the intent of silently blocking the parade for seven minutes to hold space for Black and brown queer and trans people. Instead of allowing the Columbus Pride protesters to exercise their First Amendment rights undisturbed, the Columbus Police Department promptly rammed protesters with bikes, maced them, shoved them to the ground, chased them with horses, etc. This all took place within the first two minutes of protesters blocking the street.

Of the protestors attacked by the violent police officers, four Black queer and trans folks — Wriply, Deandre, Ashley, and Kendall — were arrested and slammed with misdemeanor charges ranging from resisting arrest to disorderly conduct. Deandre is also facing a felony charge of aggravated robbery.

Now, almost five months later, the #BP4’s bogus charges still stand. Our fight is not over yet — three of the #BlackPride4 have a trial date scheduled for November 20. This is unacceptable.

To show City Prosecutor Richard C. Pfeiffer and Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien how outraged we still are at these unjust charges, we invite you to march with us on November 7 at 12noon to deliver our petitions and demand that they #DROPTHECHARGES against the #BLACKPRIDE4. We will be marching from Pfeiffer’s office at 77 N. Front St. to O’Brien’s office at 375 S. High St.

We are calling the date of the petition drop and march “#BlackTransLiberationTuesday” to reclaim space for ourselves and loudly reject all forms of oppression that victimize Black queer and trans people, especially police brutality and mass incarceration.

Hosted by No Justice No Pride and Black Queer and Intersectional Columbus.