Mardi Gras ‘Pride in Protest’ split-off rally attended by thousands
A group of Mardi Gras renegades who believe the parade is too corporate have held their own rally, which police had tried to stop.
A group of breakaway Mardi Gras protesters have gone ahead with a rally that police had tried to stop in the Supreme Court.
The globally renowned pride parade is being held at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday night given COVID restrictions, with colourful revellers circling the stadium.
Traditionally, the march is held along Oxford Street and split-off group Pride in Protest, who believe the parade has abandoned its radical roots and embraced a bland, corporate vision of LGBTQIA rights, had its own parade at its traditional home.
The protest started at 2pm, with revellers meeting at Taylor Square in Darlinghurst.
Via a Facebook group, Pride in Protest said 3000 people went on the march.
“Together we stand with pride against homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, and racism,” the group said.
“The police came out in force, but we beat them in the courts and the streets.
“It’s not the police that keeps us safe, it’s the community - we can do anything when we unite together.”
Earlier NSW Police commissioner Mick Fuller filed a summons in the Supreme Court to halt the protest that, if granted, would have put protesters at risk of fines and arrest.
But that motion was thrown out by NSW Police after NSW Health granted an exemption for the march to go ahead provided attendees followed COVID protocols.
Police vowed to be out in force to ensure all went smoothly, including at the SCG.
Pride in Protest described the rally as a Mardi Gras with “no cops, no corporations, no conservatives”.
“It was a really incredibly invigorating experience! Well done to all the organisers and everyone who attended!” Patrick Boland posted on the Facebook page.
The group’s demands include ending Aboriginal deaths in custody, abolishing the police, decriminalising sex work, legalising all drugs and advancing transgender rights.
Earlier, the organisers behind Mardi Gras said it was in no way affiliated with Pride in Protest.
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