The Philadelphia Pride Parade was brought to a halt on Sunday by a group of anti-Israel protesters, who blocked the parade route and forced participants to march in place. The protesters, led by the progressive group Queers 4 Palestine Philly, shouted slogans calling for the annihilation of Israel and displayed signs reading “No pride in genocide.”
Videos circulating online showed the tense standoff between the parade participants and the protesters, who refused to move from the intersection leading into the city’s “Gayborhood.” Police intervened to try and direct the protesters away, but the crowd continued to chant anti-Israel slogans and call for the destruction of the country.
The protest, which included individuals wearing rainbow attire and holding Pride flags, was part of a larger movement to show solidarity with those resisting colonial genocide around the world. The protesters called for a global intifada against colonizers and capitalists, and declared their rejection of any celebrations of pride that are not grounded in the struggle to end genocide.
The incident at the Philadelphia Pride Parade highlights the intersection of LGBTQ rights and political activism, as well as the ongoing tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The protest comes amid heightened security concerns at similar events, such as the upcoming Israel Day Parade in New York City.
