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July 17, 2022 • 4 hours ago • 2 minutes read • 25 comments London Police Headquarters (Free Press file photo)
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A “horrific” 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 campaigners 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. The incident on Saturday 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 confrontation.
“I’m always concerned as an LGBTQ person that someone might be an extremist, that we might not be safe, that we might be targeted,” Plant said. “I was at the event. They blew their horns to drown out the music, there was a confrontation and they called us pedophiles and devils. It was terrible.”
Added plant: “We are concerned. If they are motivated to come out and scream in our faces, what else can they do? They can interfere with events.
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At around 2.15pm on Saturday, police responded to an emergency call about a large disturbance at Wortley Road and Duchess Avenue, during the Wortley Pride 2022 event. A police statement said there had been a “major physical altercation” and that a man who “wasn’t part of the festivities” was arrested and charged. No further details had been released as of midday Sunday.
Plant said there were Canadian flags flying from pickup trucks, similar to what many Londoners saw during the “freedom convoy” protests against the COVID-19 regulations this winter. Plant said the people in the vehicles shouted obscenities at festival-goers.
The event prompted a security check by Pride London organizers, said Steven D’Amelio, its vice president.
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“It worries 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 adding more private security, D’Amelio said. “There will be an emphasis on security and safety. We are talking about strategic security and best placement.”
Anova, which provides shelter and support to abused women, will have staff attend the Pride Parade on July 24. Its CEO, Jesse Roger, is also concerned about what could happen.
“This shows an escalation. I’m nervous about the parade. It’s been two years since we’ve been able to celebrate and I’m nervous about the safety of those in attendance,” Roger said. “It was a warning and we need to make sure that precautions are taken next weekend and we can celebrate safely.”
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The investigation was continuing 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 an ugly few months in Southwestern Ontario in terms of anti-LGBTQ incidents. In Norwich, a small town south of Woodstock, pride flags were stolen and a Tillsonburg man, Jake Day, was charged. Day then gave a 30-minute address to a meeting of Norwich City Council, during which he compared the Pride movement to Nazi Germany.
Around 100 local citizens attended the last council meeting last week and demanded the resignation of the mayor for allowing the remarks. Mayor Larry Martin refused to resign.
ndebono@postmedia.com
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