Anti-Racist Critique and Practical Response to the L.A. Women’s March, January 21, 2017 — by White People 4 Black Lives/SURJ Los Angeles
Nationwide, the Women’s March held promise for demonstrating unity and solidarity among people who stood for everything Trump and the Republican Congress did not. And it was going to be huge. WP4BL wanted to show its support and commitment to resisting Trump — his racism, sexism, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia, and Islamophobia — and to making the world a better place. The question was, how to do this most impactfully from an anti-racist organizing perspective.
As plans for the march shaped up locally, it became clear the Los Angeles Women’s March would not be addressing the issues most pressing on women in L.A.’s communities of color, issues of paramount importance to our work. Police violence, state sanctioned killing, mass incarceration, immigration reform and environmental justice were not on the agenda. As an anti-racist organizing collective, WP4BL approached the call to march on January 21st from a critical perspective by asking, “how does this march reflect our values?” And our involvement fell into line accordingly.
Fortunately, we were nimble enough to respond on two front: One in line with our goal of recruiting and organizing white people to end racism; the other, working as allies and accomplices with people of color, supporting their struggles and agendas.
Given that the demographic of the march would be predominantly white, WP4BL organizer Mikayla Branz explains the first direction the group chose to take. “More than anything, we saw it as a great opportunity to reach and recruit progressive white folks. The question was, in that venue, how to interject race and lift up racial justice as a critical element for any social justice movement. Instead of marching as a group with our WP4BL tee shirts and signs, we decided to staff an information booth along the route and engage as many people as possible in conversation.”
A team of volunteers organized the booth, scheduled staffing, prepared the literature and an interactive activity. We also had sign-up sheets for folks interested in our list serve or attending a meeting. From the moment the march began, conversations at the WP4BL table were continuous. “Pretty overwhelmingly positive,” said Megan Dobkin, when asked how the marchers responded. “It really seemed to hit a chord with people.” Megan led the team that organized and staffed the booth. She also explained some challenges. “[White People 4 Black Lives is] a provocative name, no question about that. People sometimes came to the booth with questions about it … that it was stating our whiteness in a way [they] were uncomfortable with. But others,” she said, “got it immediately, and it seemed to tap into their emerging activism…”
“A lot of white folks’ ears perked up when they heard our name,” added Matt Harper, another organizer, “and many went out of their way to get information.” Some others, he said, both white and people of color, challenged him on the group being all white, but generally understood when he described who we were and what we did. “It was energizing to be in that space.”
“It was busy!” said Mikayla, who also staffed the booth. Some of the comments she heard included: “This is great, I’ve been looking for a place to plug in,” and “I’ve been looking for you to find out what I can do.” Also, “I have so much white guilt and know I’m part of the problem.” A number of Black people also stopped by to find out about the organization.
People were invited to answer the question, “How Will I Show Up for Racial Justice?” and post their answers on sticky-notes around the booth. By day’s end, nearly 150 Post-It notes decorated the booth. Some favorites included, “Admit privilege,” “Elevate Black Voices,” “Use privilege to protect and stand up for your POC brothers and sisters,” and “I promise to call people out on their micro-aggressions.”
Within a week of the march, WP4BL gained 379 Instagram followers and about 160 new Twitter followers, and the Facebook page also saw a surge in traffic. We came away with 430 new names and emails, and will be sending out information for a new member orientation soon. The booth also gave newer members an opportunity to stand with more seasoned activists and gain experience speaking on behalf of our racial justice mission, goals and practice.
Our second front emerged later on. A week before the Women’s March, we were invited by one of our solidarity partners to participate in an ancillary action called “Chant Down the Walls — Beyond the Los Angeles Women’s March,” organized by women of color from Af3irm L.A. and NDLON (National Day Labor Organizing Network). Since the official march wasn’t providing space for women of color to address their priority issues, they created space for themselves.
“Chant Down the Walls” called on all women of color, transnational women, immigrants and allies to continue marching, beyond the official end-point at City Hall, to the L.A. Metropolitan Detention Center, for a rally with entertainment and speakers in support of the following demands:
- Genuine women’s liberation
- The end of all killings and state violence/Black Lives Matter
- Im/migrant rights and no deportations
- The end of all forms of homophobia and transphobia
- Genuine reproductive justice
- Comprehensive healthcare
- Protect public education
- Environmental justice, NO DAPL
- An end to all U.S. wars and aggression across the globe.
As an ally organization directly supporting anti-racist struggles, WP4BL jumped in to help.
On the day of the Women’s March, as the official rally kicked off at City Hall, a number of WP4BL members were already at the Detention Center, four blocks away, waiting for “Chant Down the Walls” marchers to arrive. Wearing yellow vests, holding signs, and linking arms, they helped shut down Aliso Street to traffic, creating a safe space for the rally to occur. When the LAPD arrived, the protectors stood firm. “Chant Down the Walls” organizers negotiated with the police for use of the street; WP4BL backed them up and held the line with their bodies, face-to-face with police and traffic for more than three hours.
Marianne Drummond, one WP4BL organizer, spoke about her role in the action. “I wanted to see the Women’s March and be there,” she said, “but more importantly I wanted to participate in an action for racial justice.” For her, the larger march had been problematic because of its lack of inclusivity. But supporting “Chant Down the Walls” was a way to lift up not only Black voices, but also the voices of immigrants and those incarcerated.
Another activist, Tiffany Guerra, called their support action a success, helping to hold the street clear from traffic so the marchers could stay and hold their rally.
An estimated 400 people turned out for Chant Down the Walls, and organizers felt positively that their goals were met. Participating groups included Af3irm L.A., NDLON (National Day Labor Organizing Nework), Black Lives Matter Los Angeles and Pasadena, Mujeres de Maiz, UCLA Labor Center, Defend Boyle Heights, Trans Latina Coalition, Immigrant Youth Coalition, Solidarity House from the South, Justice for My Sister, and National Lawyers Guild. Most importantly, they’d created a space for women of color to lift up, listen to and support each others’ voices. According to one Af3irm organizer, success is anytime women of color come together, share words, music, art and culture, and build an intersectional community.
Another organizer, from NDLON, spoke to the significance of the venue. The detention center, which is a federal prison, houses immigrants awaiting deportation or trial, for coming into the country without proper documents. The speakers, music and waving hands were for the detainees too, she explained, held in cages behind the narrow windows. So they’ll know someone is still fighting for them.
One of the musical numbers also nailed it for white people. It’s the reason WP4BL shows up and will continue recruiting and building our movement for racial justice. La Victoria’s Mariachi-style rendition of Alice Bag’s “White Justice” said it all:
“You say justice
Is colorblind
But I know you’re lying
I know you’re lying
White justice
Doesn’t work for me
White justice
Is a travesty
White justice
Just isn’t
Just … “
With the Women’s March over, our anti-racist organizing continues. We hope to see people we met at upcoming meetings and actions. In addition to our ongoing support for the Movement for Black Lives, BLM Los Angeles, Stop LAPD Spying Coalition, and L.A. No More Jails, we’re beginning to work in solidarity partnerships with NDLON (National Day Labor Organizing Network) and Vigilant Love (A Solidarity Community Against Violence and Islamophobia). WP4BL believes that cities must address the criminalization of Black people, transgender women, and other people of color as part of the minimum standard for defining a city a ‘sanctuary city’ today.
