Tue 2 Feb 2016 In: International News View at Wayback View at NDHA
The Pride March in the Australian State of Victoria was held up by a group of protesters on Saturday who staged a sit-in to draw attention to “socially unjust oppressive systems”. Photo: SameSame Wearing pink bandanas covering their faces and holding a large banner that read “QUEERS REVOLT” alongside a transgender flag, Australian LGBTI news organisation, SameSame reports that the group blocked the march for several minutes, sitting in front of marchers from NAB bank, not allowing them to pass. In a statement the group says; “We wanted to draw attention to the ties of Pride with environmentally destructive and socially unjust corporations as well as police and political parties that institutionalise oppressive systems,. “Our group wanted to remind people that ‘Pride’ is not simply a celebration, but a protest fighting for liberation for everyone harmed by heteronormativity, cisnormativity, misogyny, ableism, racism and other forms of oppression. “We see corporations using the LGBTQI+’ branding of ‘Pride’ to pinkwash (the use of support for mainstream ‘gay rights’ as a veil to excuse other behaviours) their oppressive practices.” SameSame reports that many onlookers assumed the protest was homophobic with some grabbing buckets of water and hoses and drenching the protesters, as well as hitting the police who began to ask the crowd to step back. Police eventually escorted protesters away after the march was stopped for 15 minutes.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Tuesday, 2nd February 2016 - 11:49am