Pride Parade Cancelled As LGBTQ2+ Group Protest For Palestine In Toronto
The annual Pride Parade in Toronto was abruptly cancelled on Sunday after a group of LGBTQ2+ individuals chose to protest in solidarity with Palestine.
It was gathered that no fewer than 30 demonstrators, calling themselves the Coalition Against Pinkwashing, held banners and chanted on Yonge Street, just south of Wellesley Street, three and a half hours after the paradeโs 2 p.m. start. Floats and marchers making their way south toward the paradeโs finish at Nathan Phillips Square were stranded behind the protesters, who chanted โFree Palestineโ and โPride is a protest.โ
Findings revealed that 45 minutes after the protest began, Pride Toronto announced the remainder of the parade โ billed as Canadaโs largest โ was cancelled.
This was contained in a statement by Pride Toronto spokesperson, Anna Lee.
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Anna Lee said, “We made the decision to cancel the remainder of the parade out of our commitment to ensuring public safety.
โWhile we deeply respect and uphold everyoneโs right to peacefully protest, our foremost priority is the well-being of all participants and spectators.โ
Speaking during the protest, protester Layla Salman said, โWeโre here for Palestine. Weโre here to draw attention to the cause.โ
Police spokesperson, Laurie McCann said, “Adequate resources to address the protest but were respecting Pride Torontoโs request that officers not interfere if protesters disrupted the parade.”
