July 17, 2022 • 4 hours ago • 2 minutes read • 25 Comments London Police Headquarters (Free Press file photo)
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A “terrible” confrontation at a weekend Pride event in London’s Wortley Village has sparked fears that other gatherings planned to celebrate the local LGBTQ+ community this week could face similar clashes, a witness and activists say.
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This coming week marks the return of Pride London Festival’s in-person events, including concerts in Victoria Park from Friday to Sunday and a parade on Sunday. Saturday’s incident at the Wortley Village Pride event – which coincides with, but is not formally part of, the wider festival – has raised alarm, said Jason Plant, who witnessed Saturday’s clash. “I’m always worried as an LGBTQ person that someone might be an extremist, that we might not be safe, that we might be targets,” Plant said. “I was at the event. They cornered us to drown out the music, there was a confrontation and they called us pedophiles and f-ots. It was awful.” Added plant: “We are concerned. If they are motivated to come out and shout in the face, what else can they do? They can disrupt events.”
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On Saturday, at approximately 2:15 p.m., police responded to an emergency call about a large disturbance at Wortley Road and Duchess Avenue, at the Wortley Pride 2022 event. In a statement, police said there was “a large physical scuffle’ and that a man who ‘didn’t take part in the festivities’ was arrested and charged. No other details had been released as of midday Sunday. Plant said there were Canadian flags flying from trucks, similar to what many Londoners saw during the rolling “freedom convoy” protests against the COVID-19 regulations this winter. Plant said people in the vehicles were yelling obscenities at festival-goers. The event triggered a security review by Pride London organisers, said Stephen D’Amelio, its vice-chairman.
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“It’s a concern for us, but at the end of the day any person can disrupt an event. It shows that there are some people who still feel empowered to do that,” he said. Organizers will meet with London police to discuss security and add more private security, D’Amelio said. “There will be an emphasis on safety and security. We are talking about strategic security and better positioning.” Anova, which provides shelter and support for abused women, will have staff on hand to attend the July 24 pride parade. Its executive director, Jessie Rodger, is also worried about what could happen. “This shows an escalation. I’m nervous about the pride parade. It’s been two years since we’ve been able to celebrate and I’m nervous about the safety of those in attendance,” said Rodger. “This was a warning and we need to make sure that next weekend precautions are taken and we can celebrate safely.”
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The investigation was ongoing Sunday and police asked anyone with information or video of the incident to contact them at 519-661-5670 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. It’s been a rough few months in Southwestern Ontario regarding anti-LGBTQ incidents. In Norwich, a small town just south of Woodstock, Pride flags were stolen and a Tillsonburg man, Jake Dey, was charged. Dey then gave a 30-minute speech at a Norwich Borough Council meeting in which he compared the Pride movement to Nazi Germany. About 100 locals attended the most recent council meeting last week and called for the mayor to resign for allowing the remarks. Mayor Larry Martin refused to resign. [email protected]
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