by Jonathon Van Maren, The Bridgehead
It’s one of those rare CBC headlines that brings a smile to one’s face: “Mayor, activists trade blame over Pride parade cancellation.”
On Sunday, August 24, LGBT activists in Canada’s capital were all geared up for that most sacred of secular religious processionals, the “Pride” parade. But the Ottawa chapter of “Queers for Palestine” had other plans. As the march approached Wellington Street, Queers for Palestine blocked the parade route.
Those who attend the National March for Life are used to this sort of thing – masked communists have blockaded pro-lifers marching to Parliament Hill, abortion protestors yelling obscenities, even topless Femen activists rushing clergy on the stage. But LGBT marchers are used to strutting about as if they own the place (they pretty much do) and thus the Queers blockade provoked a furious circular firing squad of angry progressives.
The LGBT march was cancelled at 3 p.m., reportedly leaving 7,000 people from over 175 groups with nothing to do except go home and put their clothes back on.
As is their wont, Queers for Palestine delivered a list of demands to Capital Pride, including a call for boycotting Israel, and two demands for Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe. They demanded that Sutcliffe publicly apologize for staying away from the 2024 LGBT parade over a pro-Palestine statement delivered by the organizers, and they demanded that he make a statement declaring that he stands with all oppressed people, including Palestinians.
“I don’t feel any sort of apology is warranted,” Sutcliffe told the media. “I don’t think we should ever be in a situation where someone can block an event or a parade, especially Capital Pride, make a bunch of demands, and unless those demands are met, then the parade or the event doesn’t go ahead. Because what’s next? What’s the list of demands going to be next time?”
The mayor, you’ll notice, was “especially” offended that Capital Pride had been blasphemed in this manner.