Palestine Action YYT to Lead This Year’s St. John’s Pride Parade

St. John’s Pride says asking supporters of Palestine to lead this year’s Pride Parade was done with inclusion, not exclusion, in mind.

The invitation was extended to Palestine Action YYT in the interests of “inclusivity and solidarity” for all marginalized communities, says St. John’s Pride co-chair Eddy St. Coeur.

He notes while resolving the conflict in Gaza will be up to others, people here can still have a say in advancing trampled-on human rights.

But he insists the gesture extended to Palestine Action YYT was not meant to be a slight against queer Jews.

“We’re not making this step as an anti-semitic move,” says St. Coeur. “What we’re saying is there has to be a better pathway to peace, and how that’s going to be decided, that’s going to be other people on the other side of the world.

“But we want everybody to come out and march in the parade in solidarity that there are human rights that are being attacked right now, and overstepping those rights is not the way to a peaceful resolution.”

St. Coeur says the parades should include everyone, including law enforcement, but they’re being asked to swap their police uniforms and logos for pride colours.

“If you really want to send the message home that you’re listening to the community, and that you’re committed to supporting and trying to make them feel safe, one of the strongest moves that any member of those forces could make would be to show up to the parade, out of uniform, put your pride colours on, and march alongside the community in recognition that you’re hearing what they’re saying, that you recognize that work still has to be done.”

The 2024 St. John’s Pride Festival begins July 10 and culminates with the parade on Sunday, July 21.