Five queer protesters who spoke out against police presence at Glasgow Pride were arrested for offences including ‘breach of the peace with homophobic aggravation, police obstruction and resisting police arrest’.
The group protested police involvement at the Pride event and distributed flyers that condemned police brutality against the transgender community, people of colour, sex workers and refugees.
Two people were allegedly arrested because they were carrying signs that read: ‘These F****ts Fight Fascists’.
Glasgow Pride has released a statement on its Facebook page, condemning the actions of those who were arrested.
“Pride Glasgow is extremely disappointed in the actions of a small group of people that tried to target the Pride Glasgow Parade yesterday,” the statement reads.
“Whilst Pride Glasgow promotes an equality for all agenda and free speech the actions of this group jeopardised the safety of everyone attending the parade.
“The Pride Parade in Glasgow has always been a platform for protest alongside a celebration of LGBTI life and we are saddened that this shameful attempt to sabotage the parade has come from within the LGBTI community.”
Some Facebook users have commented that Pride marches are fundamentally protests for LGBT+ rights.
One person wrote: “The people arrested were arrested for peacefully protesting. Furthermore, they were arrested in an overly forceful manner. To say that they put the march or the wellbeing of other people in danger is nonsense.”
Another said: “The anti fascist protestors who were arrested were arrested in theory due to a sign which featured a slur directed at themselves as anyone who has ever been to any LGBT protest know is common and was probably seen a lot yesterday.
“We find power in reclaiming and no one should be punished for taking power in a word that’s usually used against them.”
A spokesperson for the group involved—Free Pride—told blog A Thousand Flowers that they were protesting the fact that police were invited to lead this year’s march.
“We wish to draw attention to the harmfulness of this decision which shows a disregard for migrant lives and LGBT people of colour.
“Pride has its origins in protest against police brutality and anti-LGBT violence, particularly against people of colour and trans folk, and we believe it should remain a protest.
“In addition to this, the police service is a racist institution which serves to enact violence against LGBT+ people of colour and we condemn the decision to prioritise these institutions over the LGBT+ community."
