UA Workers Union Proudly Joins Pride Events

The red-shirted Mike Pierce and Ben Pollock carry the Local 965 banner down Dickson Street in Fayetteville's 18th annual Pride Parade.

Sudden Showers Slowed Neither the Pace nor the Enthusiasm

The labor organization of the University of Arkansas again participated in the area’s Pride events, the 2nd annual Trans March and 18th annual Pride Parade, June 18, 2022. The crowd easily numbered in the thousands.

The day’s small chance for rain turned to 100 percent 45 minutes before the Parade’s 5 p.m. start. The steady shower slowed for most of the event — flowing west along the whole commercial section of Dickson Street — then drenched onlookers and participants as the rally ended at the foot of the campus.

  • As the 2022 Fayetteville Pride Parade ends June 18, thousands of bystanders flow onto Dickson Street from its sidewalks.
    As the 2022 Fayetteville Pride Parade ends June 18, thousands of bystanders flow onto Dickson Street from its sidewalks. Photo by Mike Pierce
  • The red-shirted Mike Pierce, Ben Pollock, Ryan Gliszinski and Chad Kieffer then Trish Starks (black T-shirt) head down Dickson Street in Fayetteville's 18th annual Pride Parade.
    The red-shirted Mike Pierce (from left), Ben Pollock, a friend of the union and at-large board member Chad Kieffer (right) walked for the union to support transgender rights, the community and their supporters in the state’s first Trans March on June 24, 2021. and Chad Kieffer then Trish Starks (black T-shirt) head down Dickson Street in Fayetteville’s 18th annual Pride Parade. Photo by Christy Pollock
  • The red-shirted Mike Pierce and Ben Pollock carry the Local 965 banner down Dickson Street in Fayetteville's 18th annual Pride Parade.
    The red-shirted Mike Pierce (left) and Ben Pollock carry the Local 965 banner (not seen) down Dickson Street in Fayetteville’s 18th annual Pride Parade. Photo by Megan Lewis-Reed

The PRIDE registered student organization hosted several UA groups including UA-Fayetteville Education Association/Local 965, marching as one unit among other entities, proficiently overseen by Northwest Arkansas Equality with assistance by the city of Fayetteville and law enforcement.

Holding the 965 banner were the local’s vice president, Mike Pierce, and secretary, Ben Pollock, joined by board member Chad Kieffer as well as member Trish Starks.

Kieffer and Gliszinksi represented Local 965 for the noon Trans March, the second annual.

The Fayetteville Flyer posted some six dozen photos on the online publication’s Facebook page with details in an article. KNWA-TV’s report included interesting interviews and video snippets. Details on the facets of Saturday’s Pride Festival were previewed at the Fayetteville Flyer’s NWA Pride Festival Schedule.

While individual members of UA-Fayetteville Education Association / Local 965 have participated individually in years past, the union participated as an entity in 2021 and now. The event is organized where various University of Arkansas groups participate as its own unit, organized by the registered student organization UARK PRIDE, celebrating its 40th anniversary. The daylong Pride Festival including the march and parade were proficiently overseen by Northwest Arkansas Equality with assistance by the city of Fayetteville and law enforcement.