The past year was action-packed for ALP! The year featured deeper integration of ALP’s organizing, education/training, and health and wellness programs; a celebration of our history of organizing; direct actions, political education events, and community building. We send a big thank you to the entire ALP community for our collective victories!
2007 was kicked off with the 2nd TransJustice Job & Education Fair, with nearly 20 organizations and companies providing opportunities to apply for jobs, vocational training and college for over 100 Trans & Gender Non-Conforming People of Color who attended. ALP’s Youth Organizing area focused on base-building and held an evening event, ‘Up All Night’ drawing over 70 youth. ALP coordinated the Annual Retreat for leaders of LGBTSTGNC People of Color groups in NYC including opportunities for training, networking and analysis-building. The spring was a huge milestone for the immigrant rights movement, when grassroots organizations joined together to fend off a series of potentially disastrous reform efforts that would undermine the rights of immigrants and increase border militarization and policing. ALP called for legalization of all people and opposed the reform, primarily as part of a citywide coalition, Immigrant Communities in Action. The coalition participated in national grassroots lobbying, press conferences, and publications. The spring was also a significant time in the anti-police violence movement, as ALP, as part of a city-wide coalition called People’s Justice, joined in calling for justice for Sean Bell and all people impacted by police violence.
On June 1st, ALP held Living a Legacy to formally celebrate the efforts of individuals who have shaped the organization’s development over the past decade. The event was attended by over 300 people, who were treated to spectacular performances by the House of Ninja and the Lavender Light Gospel Choir, inspiring keynote addresses, amazing food, and a fabulous after party by Restless Produxns.
The fast-paced year continued with the launch of a new organizing training program, Daring to be Powerful, a two-day intensive, skills-building and politicizing experience for LGBTSTGNC people of color. The 3rd Annual Trans Day of Action for Social & Economic Justice brought 1,000 people to the streets, demanding justice. TDOA was preceded by a victorious struggle with NYPD for the right to peacefully assemble – thanks to the support and endorsement of over 100 organizations and individuals! After coordinating security for the People of Color contingent at the Manhattan Pride Parade and collaborating with FIERCE! on copwatch at the Piers after the Parade, ALP traveled en masse to the US Social Forum (Atlanta, GA) and led three workshops, spoke on four panels including one of the event’s major plenaries, and was part of the Queer Visibility Committee for the event.
The summer concluded in celebration by ALP’s Annual Community BBQ, Chillin & Grillin, and the Living Against Violence Party, which together drew over 300 community members and allies. ALP’s Safe Outside the System Collective (SOS) organized Living Against Violence as our first Safe Party, which seek to incorporate methods to support community safety. SOS coordinated volunteers to provide rides home and safe passage to public transportation. Funds donated at the event will be used to help support survivors of violence.
Fall events were designed to deepen analysis about important community issues and were developed in partnership with multiple organizations. These included participation in several panels/forums and developing events on issues related to gender, sexuality, health, race and economic justice, including: the Trans Day of Remembrance; Tongues Afire, a 10-week writing workshop for LGBTSTGNC women of color and GNC people of color; and trainings for the People of Color Leaders Roundtable, a network of over 40 LGBTSTGNC People of Color organizations in NYC.