Headline: Pro-Palestinian Protesters Disrupt Montreal’s Colorful Pride Parade
In a dramatic turn of events on a sunny Sunday afternoon, pro-Palestinian protesters brought Montreal’s lively Pride parade to a standstill for approximately an hour. Clad in an orange banner emblazoned with the words “no justice no peace” and chanting “free Palestine,” the protesters made their presence known amid a heavy police presence.
The Pink Bloc, an anti-capitalist 2SLGBTQ+ group, and Faction anti-génocidaire et solidaire (F.A.G.S) orchestrated the demonstration that played out along René-Lévesque Boulevard. As the parade skirted around the protest, the demonstrators marched in unison down the other half of the boulevard before dispersing at a nearby Metro station.
While the motives of the protesters—whether they aimed to halt the parade or were obstructed by law enforcement—remained ambiguous, the scene was one of both tension and solidarity. Community organizations Helem, Mubaadarat, and Sapphix aligned with the pro-Palestinian cause, advocating for Fierté Montréal to publicly support Palestine and sever ties with corporate entities linked to weapon manufacturing for Israel.
Though Fierté Montréal refrained from issuing a formal statement, the groups aligned with the protesters during the parade, draped in white and brandishing Palestinian flags. They stood alongside a trans contingent, raising their voices in chants of “Pride is a protest” and “we won’t be silenced, stop the violence,” stirring support and emotion from onlookers along the route.
During a poignant moment of silence observed during the parade to honor HIV/AIDS victims and victims of homophobic attacks, the pro-Palestinian marchers drew attention to Israel’s actions in Gaza by creating a powerful visual display. While lying on the ground with red paint on their chests, the sound of fighter planes reverberated through loudspeakers to symbolize the conflict.
Simon Gamache, head of Fierté Montréal, assured that negotiations with the protesters remained peaceful, highlighting the festival’s preparedness for such disruptions. Despite the commotion, no arrests or injuries were reported by Montreal police.
As the parade winded through the city streets, a vibrant array of participants flooded downtown Montreal in a celebration of LGBTQ+ pride. Dressed in extravagant costumes, waving rainbow flags, and echoing slogans of inclusivity, the community rallied together under the theme ‘We
In a dramatic turn of events on a sunny Sunday afternoon, pro-Palestinian protesters brought Montreal’s lively Pride parade to a standstill for approximately an hour. Clad in an orange banner emblazoned with the words “no justice no peace” and chanting “free Palestine,” the protesters made their presence known amid a heavy police presence.
The Pink Bloc, an anti-capitalist 2SLGBTQ+ group, and Faction anti-génocidaire et solidaire (F.A.G.S) orchestrated the demonstration that played out along René-Lévesque Boulevard. As the parade skirted around the protest, the demonstrators marched in unison down the other half of the boulevard before dispersing at a nearby Metro station.
While the motives of the protesters—whether they aimed to halt the parade or were obstructed by law enforcement—remained ambiguous, the scene was one of both tension and solidarity. Community organizations Helem, Mubaadarat, and Sapphix aligned with the pro-Palestinian cause, advocating for Fierté Montréal to publicly support Palestine and sever ties with corporate entities linked to weapon manufacturing for Israel.
Though Fierté Montréal refrained from issuing a formal statement, the groups aligned with the protesters during the parade, draped in white and brandishing Palestinian flags. They stood alongside a trans contingent, raising their voices in chants of “Pride is a protest” and “we won’t be silenced, stop the violence,” stirring support and emotion from onlookers along the route.
During a poignant moment of silence observed during the parade to honor HIV/AIDS victims and victims of homophobic attacks, the pro-Palestinian marchers drew attention to Israel’s actions in Gaza by creating a powerful visual display. While lying on the ground with red paint on their chests, the sound of fighter planes reverberated through loudspeakers to symbolize the conflict.
Simon Gamache, head of Fierté Montréal, assured that negotiations with the protesters remained peaceful, highlighting the festival’s preparedness for such disruptions. Despite the commotion, no arrests or injuries were reported by Montreal police.
As the parade winded through the city streets, a vibrant array of participants flooded downtown Montreal in a celebration of LGBTQ+ pride. Dressed in extravagant costumes, waving rainbow flags, and echoing slogans of inclusivity, the community rallied together under the theme ‘We
