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 parade’s 2 p.m. start. Floats and marchers making their way south toward the parade’s finish at Nathan Phillips Square were stranded behind the protesters, who chanted “Free Palestine” and “Pride is a protest.”

Findings revealed that 45 minutes after the protest began, Pride Toronto announced the remainder of the parade — billed as Canada’s largest — 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.

“While we deeply respect and uphold everyone’s right to peacefully protest, our foremost priority is the well-being of all participants and spectators.”

Speaking during the protest, protester Layla Salman said, “We’re here for Palestine. We’re here to draw attention to the cause.”

Police spokesperson, Laurie McCann said, “Adequate resources to address the protest but were respecting Pride Toronto’s request that officers not interfere if protesters disrupted the parade.”