Latest news with #GenderandSexualityAlliance
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Community comes together in Longmont anti-Trump protest Saturday
Another rally condemning the actions of the Trump administration took to the streets of downtown Longmont Saturday. With handmade signs held high, protesters gathered on both sides of Main Street between Longs Peak Avenue and Fourth Avenue. People chanted and passing cars honked, and the large crowd went on for roughly a couple hours. 'It's just nice to see so many people activated, because it makes us feel like we're not alone,' protest participant Rachel Sears said. Longmont joined communities across the country this weekend in protesting perceived threats to democracy and civil rights. Some protesters, including those at the Longmont event, commemorated the anniversary of the start of the American Revolutionary War by calling for 'no kings.' A number of signs expressed sentiments against fascism and in favor of defending democracy. One read 'Down With The Crown,' while another proclaimed 'Democracy Not Dictatorship.' Two weeks ago, downtown Longmont was the site of a crowd that gathered amid the 'Hands Off' protest, another nationwide rally against President Donald Trump. Lyn Lowry, a coordinator for the 'Hands Off' protest and this weekend's protest, said the goals of both rallies are similar — to inspire people and bring them together. 'It's to have them see that they aren't alone,' Lowry said. Longmont Public Safety Department estimated the crowd size at around 1,300 to 1,500 people, according to Robin Ericson, a department spokesperson. 'We have to keep going,' Lowry said. 'This is the least we can do.' One protester said she was worried about the way the Trump administration has targeted U.S. national parks and women's rights. Another protester, Laura Allured, had similar concerns. 'We're worried about Trump's policies, the future of the county, the future of democracy,' said Allured, who also attended the April 5 Longmont rally. Silver Creek High School senior Hunter Robertson runs the school's Gender and Sexuality Alliance club. He said it's important to protest recent Trump administration policies. 'They're affecting people who are graduating, who are becoming 18,' Robertson said. 'It makes people afraid when they shouldn't be, even in very positive places like we are so lucky to have here in Longmont.' Elijah Charlton, a freshman at Silver Creek, also attended the rally. 'There's been a lot of injustices and some crazy things happening in the government,' Elijah said. 'This is what I felt like I could do about it.' Elijah called the number of fellow protesters 'invigorating.' 'There's a lot of good energy here,' Elijah said. People attend an anti-Trump rally in Boulder on Saturday, April 19, 2025. According to event organizer Barbara Kish, the rally was held along Broadway and drew a large crowd. (Courtesy photo / Barbara Kish) Nearby, crowds also amassed in Boulder and Berthoud. Outside of Berthoud Recreation Center on Saturday, at least 150 to 200 people gathered in protest of the president, whose administration has moved quickly to implement stronger measures related to illegal immigration, reshape the nation's global trade policy and reduce the federal workforce, among other actions. The anti-Trump rally in Boulder Saturday took place along Broadway, according to event organizer Barbara Kish.
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
NYC schools chancellor affirms support for trans, other LGBTQ kids in face of Trump policies
As the Trump administration continues to target transgender and other LGBTQ students, New York City Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos penned a letter Monday assuring families that local protections are still in place. The city's public school system allows transgender students to change their name and gender on school records, regardless of legal documentation, according to the regulations linked in the memo. Public school students may also participate in competitive sports and gym classes aligned with their gender identity. 'Our policies remain in effect, and in fact, we have strengthened them in recent years, including updating our guidelines on gender inclusion,' read the letter going home Monday in children's backpacks across the five boroughs. 'I'm proud that at New York City Public Schools, we have robust curricula, resources, and programs to support students who identify as LGBTQ+ and to increase representation and inclusivity within our schools.' During his first month in office, President Trump signed a series of executive orders, from declaring there are only two sexes on federal documents to excluding transgender students from girls sports, which Trump's allies have pushed as an issue of fairness. Yet another order threatens to pull federal funding from any school found to be teaching 'gender ideology.' In the midst of those changes, scores of parents called on Aviles-Ramos to issue some kind of acknowledgement of the rhetoric and the reversal of years of precedent at the federal level. While the chancellor showed her support for LGBTQ students at an annual Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) Summit and local town halls, no systemwide communication went out to all families. Earlier this month, at a sprawling protest to support transgender youth in Union Square where organizers estimated the crowd reached 7,000 people, multiple parents expressed disappointment in the school system's silence. 'I'm disappointed that we haven't heard more supportive statements from our leadership at the DOE,' Brooklyn mom Hallie said on Feb. 8. 'I think pretty much everyone agrees that [Mayor] Adams is under Trump's thumb right now, and we can't count on him to look out for anyone but himself.' Adams, who said he is refraining from publicly criticizing Trump and dealing with him one-on-one instead, directed his commissioners in a closed-door meeting to follow his lead, including Aviles-Ramos. The mayor has denied any quid pro quo with the Trump administration in exchange for dismissing his federal corruption case. The schools chancellor's letter on Monday pointed to a few resources, including GSA student clubs, classroom resources featuring the voices of LGBTQ+ people, and mental health support. Aviles-Ramos did not mention Trump by name or any of his specific policies. For some parents, the direct communication did not go far enough. 'I think this is still too little too late. It would be great if they could actually address the orange elephant in the room,' said Gavin Healy, a progressive member of a Manhattan education council, in an apparent reference to Trump. Last school year, the panel — Community Education Council 2 — passed a resolution calling on the school system to reconsider its gender inclusive policy in school sports. Then-Schools Chancellor David Banks forcefully condemned the measure, which was nonbinding. Healy, who voted against the resolution and has since been supporting a push to rescind it, described the absence of an explicit mention of sports as 'concerning.' 'The chancellor's letter still leaves that line of attack open,' he said, 'and that's alarming.'
