“The urgency this year is not just high, it’s DEFCON One,” says Alex U. Inn. The co-founder of the People’s March and Rally (which convenes Sat/12 at noon in Justin Herman Plaza) is crystal-clear that in 2025, the ante has been upped for queer, trans, and drag communities’ survival. See it in artist Serge Gay Jr.‘s flyer for this year’s gathering, which features a boot coming down hard, its stomp-facing sole emblazoned with the words “FIGHT FASCISM.”
Of course, some variation of that urgency has been present at the People’s March and Rally since its inception in 2020, when bemasked legions took to Polk Street (site of the first-ever San Francisco Pride March some 55 years ago) in the wake of the official Pride’s COVID cancelation with a cornucopia of concerns, powered by the Black Lives Matter movement and rejection of the way that corporate interests had stripped Gay Day of its power to bring together truly subversive, inclusive community.
Throughout the years, participants have made their voices heard on a variety of current events within the People’s March. A scroll through the spectacular photo galleries of past years’ editions (find them on co-founder Juanita MORE!’s website) reveals protestors standing up for reproductive rights, gun control, against theocracy, the Palestinian freedom movement, drag performer safety, and against the law enforcement violence that locally, has taken the lives of so many, including the Walgreens slaying of trans man Banko Brown.
Can 2025’s cacophony of injustice make it difficult to focus on presenting specific demands in a wide-reaching annual action like this one? Maybe, but the People’s March and Rally—there will be two editions this year, one during its customary slot of recent years on June 22, during the weekend before Pride—has to do with a kind of show of force made possible via demonstrations based on the power of community. This is about the big tent of San Francisco weirdos including but not limited to drag queens who are the subjects of mural series, community organizers who moonlight as rappers, leather aficionados, speechifying BIPOC youth, queer elders, labor unions, faith leaders, anti-genocide disabled folks, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, and queer families celebrating anniversaries, right there in the thick of the protest.
“Success is a tidal wave of resistance, a resounding ‘NO!’ to fascism,” Inn told 48hills of this year’s march and rally in an email interview with co-organizer MORE!. “It’s the spark that ignites a national movement, a declaration that we will not be silenced.” So bring your concerns to the table—your neighbors are ready to take the streets at your side.
48HILLS Since its inception in 2020, the march has been motivated by various timely issues—for example, the 2023 edition included cries for justice for Banko Brown. Given that its protest chants are constantly changing, do you see anything different about the urgency of the People’s March and Rally this year?
JUANITA MORE I feel the urgency of this march on many levels. I’m feeling the weight of what’s happening for more than being queer and brown. As a community leader, my role is to bring people together, and I’ve done this since I was a little kid. I’ve thrived on making connections. I know that together we are unstoppable.
ALEX U. INN This isn’t just another march; it’s a critical stand. The fascist creep of this administration is a clear and present danger to our queer communities. We’re not just protesting; we’re defending our very existence. The urgency is visceral, it’s in our bones, because our rights are being systematically stripped away. The urgency this year is not just high, it’s DEFCON One. The attacks on trans lives, on queer lives, on BIPOC lives, on immigrant lives—it’s a full-scale assault. We’re here to say, “Not on our watch!” ENOUGH!!
48HILLS This year’s flyer does not mince words. Can I get your definition of fascism?
JUANITA MORE The current administration wants complete control of our government. That frightens me, my friends, and my family. We are all under attack and must come together to fight it.
ALEX U. INN As you see in our protest poster, fascism needs to be stomped out. Fascism is the boot on the neck of freedom. Fascism is the enemy of democracy. It’s the iron fist that crushes dissent, the lie that silences truth, the hate that divides us. It’s the weaponization of fear to control and oppress. We see it in the policies that target our most vulnerable, and we’re going to endure any fight we must to dismantle it.
48HILLS In past years, the march has been positioned in opposition to the corporate takeover of Pride. This year, we’re seeing a retreat of corporate sponsors from that mega-event. Does that shift the contrast that the People’s March and Rally presents?
JUANITA MORE For over 50 years, since the first Gay Freedom Day Parade in San Francisco, we have been fighting for our rights to exist. The fight for equality and civil rights is not over. I’m proud to organize this powerful event again with Alex U. Inn—we are a feisty pair.
ALEX U. INN Good riddance to the corporate co-opters! Now we really know their true colors were their rainbow capitalism; a hollow gesture anyway. This march is about reclaiming our pride, our power, our movement. It’s about showing the world what real, unadulterated resistance looks like. Let the corporations retreat. It is truly concerning that SF Pride is going through this pain, the bodily threats, and the stress that comes with a financial blow. But this is an opportunity to go towards our roots, to revisit their budget, see where the community can help, to look at combining duplicate efforts, and to keep moving on. We don’t need the corporate empty gestures. We are building a movement powered by the people, for the people. Our power comes from our community, not corporate sponsors.
48HILLS Besides the People’s March and Rally, where can you point to effective resistance taking place in the Bay Area when it comes to trans, queer, and drag rights?
JUANITA MORE Everyone is resisting. Many local organizations are doing fantastic work to keep us safe and healthy. In San Francisco, we lead with the heart. Our history hasn’t always been perfect, but we have given hope to countless people worldwide. Our work to resist continues. Let’s take notes from our queer elders that stood up during the AIDS crisis and listen to the voices of our queer youth––they will lead us into the future.
ALEX U. INN The Bay Area is a hotbed of resistance. We’re seeing it in the fierce advocacy of grassroots organizations, the unwavering commitment of legal defenders, and the unbreakable spirit of our communities. So look around you. We’re building a network of resistance, from the streets to the courtrooms, from the classrooms to the city halls. We transgender, queer and drag houses are a force to be reckoned with. We are the front line of this fight! And WE WILL NOT BE INTIMIDATED!
48HILLS Can you recall a visual image from last year’s March and Rally that particularly stands out for you?
JUANITA MORE Many moments from past marches stand out for me, particularly the very first march. It was so powerful and filled with so much connection. We took the original route of the first parade in San Francisco and marched to the Castro. We were united as a community and felt proud as a family to be together.
ALEX U. INN Last year, I saw the faces of fierce, determined, and united queer and transgender siblings with our straight allies. I saw the power of our collective voice, echoing through the streets. That image is etched in my memory, a reminder of our strength. But what stood out most for me is the sight of our BIPOC queer and transgender elders, marching alongside our BIPOC youth. It was a visual representation of the unbroken chain of resistance. It was the image of hope.
48HILLS What does success for this year’s event look like?
JUANITA MORE Success from the event will come when we all walk away feeling connected, loved, and with new direction to continue living our authentic lives.
ALEX U. INN Success is a tidal wave of resistance, a resounding “NO!” to fascism. It’s the spark that ignites a national movement, a declaration that we will not be silenced. Success is showing the world that we will protect our democracy. We will not be intimidated. We will not be silenced. We will not back down. We are here, and we are here to stay.
PEOPLE’S MARCH AND RALLY Sat/12, noon-3pm. Meet at Justin Herman Plaza to march down Market Street to City Hall, SF. More info here.
