The 30th annual Pride Parade in British Columbia’s capital filled the streets of downtown.
It is estimated that more than 70,000 people attended the massive parade.
Victoria Pride Society organizes the event.
“The response (was) phenomenal. We actually had over 160 entries (for the pageant). Unfortunately, not everyone made it because we like to keep the parade shorter than three hours,” the organization said.
“The response has been incredible to see the organizations and companies wanting to be involved.”
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When the parade started, it was postponed and diverted due to a pro-Palestinian protest group.
The pro-Palestinian group of protesters parked themselves in the middle of Humboldt Street and would not move or let the parade pass.
Several dozen protesters were seen wearing masks and carrying signs such as: “Queer Jews say they are not proud of genocide.”
Global News received an email from the apparently pro-Palestinian group, which called itself “Queers Against Pinkwashing.”
“We, an autonomous group of gays living on the unceded lands of the lək̓ʷəŋən peoples, are here to disrupt a pride parade taking place during the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people by the Zionist entity,” the e-mail said mail.
“We are here in the true spirit of Pride and reject a celebration of queer life and identity that is complicit in the genocide of the Palestinian people.”
The parade was reportedly delayed by at least 30 minutes.
Victoria Police was not available for an interview but responded via email.
“A group of about 40 people blocked and disrupted the parade today, forcing us to divert the parade. Although there were some minor interactions, the group dispersed within approximately 40 minutes without major incident,” a spokesperson said.
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