Providence’s 3rd Annual Dyke and Trans People of Color March (DTPOC) marched through across the Michael Van Leeston Pedestrian Bridge and on through Downtown Providence on Friday evening, led by a brand new marching band, Clam Jam Brass Band. The difficulties of Covid meant that organizers Ancha Santana, Adena Marcelino, Michelle Veras and Ayako Takase had less time to plan a celebration as ambitious as the first two outings, but the march and the music was grand enough to please participants and onlookers.

Every year, around the country, Dyke and Trans Marches are held “to give voice to communities either not represented well or at all in traditional Pride events.” The event is deliberately grassroots and has no corporate sponsors or city involvement.

See:

• Providence’s First Annual People of Color Dyke and Trans March
• Providence’s Annual Dyke and Trans People of Color March

Will James had the lifestream:

Organizer Ancha Santana began the program, first introducing the land acknowledgement:

“This year has been really exhausting,” said Santana. “So wed didn’t bother to come up with speeches or anything to say this year. I just want to mention a few things that are on my mind and bothering me recently…”

The march from the sunflower fields on South Main Street, over the Michael Van Leesten pedestrian bridge, to Burnside Park in Downtown Providence:

A terrific speech from O’Sha:

Hugh:

Closing out: