Toronto/CMEDIA: One of the biggest annual Pride celebrations in Canada was reportedly celebrated Jun 30 by thousands of people in downtown Toronto.
The Toronto Pride Parade marked the culmination of a month’s worth of events celebrating the city’s LGBTQ+ community, with some attendees calling the event a symbol of friendship.
Towards nearing the end, the parade was disrupted by a demonstration in Yonge St by Palestinians holding banners reading “Pride partners with genocide” and “Stop pinkwashing.”
But the street fair and stages were still operating.
In an emailed statement, Pride Toronto said it respected people’s right to protest, but made the decision “out of our commitment to ensuring public safety.”
“We empathize with those who were looking forward to participating and regret any inconvenience caused by this decision,” Pride Toronto’s statement said.
No arrests were made in connection with the demonstration, Police said.
Pride Toronto organizers did not request police intervention, Spokeswoman Laurie McCann said in an email adding that the the event was cancelled solely due to the decision of Pride Toronto organizers.
“The Toronto Police have been working closely with Pride Toronto in preparation for this weekend. Pride Toronto communicated to TPS prior to Sunday that they did not want officers to intervene if protestors disrupted the parade. We have respected their request,” McCann wrote.
This year’s Pride events in Toronto featured many LGBTQ+ newcomers celebrating their first Pride in Canada.
Beginning at Bloor Street and Church Street the parade was accompanied with more than 250 groups marching together along Yonge Street down to Nathan Phillips Square.
Included in the groups were LGBTQ+ organizations such as the African Centre for Refugees and Toronto Pflag, all cheering alongside the crowds with Pride flags.
With the parade still underway, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow celebrated on a parade float, donning a rainbow feather boa and blowing kisses to the crowd.
Bonnie Crobmbe, leader of Ontario Liberal Party marched and danced in the parade parade and celebrated love, hope and freedom in the Village.
Celebrants were undettered dueing ther parade when the clouds darkened and light rain briefly fell.
Calling this year’s parade theme “Be,” Pride Toronto’s statement said ‘We are here and always will be.’
Toronto’s CN Tower was lit in rainbow colours for the Toronto Pride Parade.
Canada’s PM Justin Trudeau said in a tweet that seeing so many people out in the Village openly celebrating love and freedom is a testament to how far we’ve come as a country.
Toronto Transit Commission participating in the 2024 Pride Parade.
