Hundreds of protesters voicing opposition to Israeli policies disrupted an LGBTQ+ pride parade in Philadelphia on June 2, bringing the celebratory march to a standstill. The incident unfolded at the intersection of 11th Street and Locust Street as the Philly Pride March and Festival, which had commenced around 10:30 a.m. at Washington Square, was nearing its conclusion in the city's Gayborhood section.

According to videos shared on X, the protesters chanted slogans like, "Palestine will live forever! From the sea to the river!" and "PPP, KKK, IOF they are all the same!" as they confronted the LGBTQ+ revelers. The chant appeared to equate the Philly Pride Parade (PPP), the Ku Klux Klan (KKK), and the Israel Occupation Forces (IOF), although the precise intent behind the abbreviation "PPP" was not immediately clear.

Palestine protesters block the Philadelphia Pride Parade and clash with LGBTQI+ activists.

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 One protester read a pre-prepared statement into a microphone, saying, "Pride celebrations have merely become a public relations instrument used by the state to divert public attention away from…violent, repressive policies." Some protesters held aloft a rainbow flag bearing the words "no pride in genocide," while others donned keffiyeh scarves. One protester could be seen carrying a white sheet stuffed to resemble a deceased child wrapped in a shroud.

Queers for Palestine activist disrupting the Philadelphia Pride parade shouts:

"Pride celebrations have merely become a public relations instrument used by the state to divert public attention away from…violent, repressive policies."

The activists clashed with the… pic.twitter.com/mGf08LkrOL

— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) June 3, 2024

Police officers attempted to maintain order by corralling the demonstrators on one side of the intersection. However, the scene soon descended into chaos, with attendees throwing punches and assaulting others.

Philadelphia Pride parade descends into chaos as attendees have massive punch up and street brawl.

The Pride march was also disrupted earlier in the day as pro-Palestine protesters blocked the LGBT marchers from continuing on their route.

pic.twitter.com/aK0s06Eik5

— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) June 3, 2024

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Tel Aviv City Council member Itay Pinkas Arad, who is responsible for the council's LGBTQ portfolio, said, "The LGBTQ battle for equality cannot and must not be stopped. We will not let our rights remain in place. However, it's clear that the parades we have held ever since 1998 have become huge events that could put participants at risk if held."

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All four LGBTQ centers said that during June, Pride Month in Israel, they intend to hold a series of small events, mostly online. These events aim to advocate for the community's fight for equal rights while expressing solidarity with the distress the population at large is experiencing.

The virtual events are expected to include salutes to health care workers and all the aid organizations operating during the corona crisis.

Orel Neuwirth, acting director of the Tel Aviv-Jaffa Municipality's LGBTQ center, said, "The corona crisis is not allowing us to hold the parade we have been accustomed to. Our energy and resources are now being put into solidarity, community responsibility and support for the weaker sectors of our community.

"We will return to the streets and to the gay pride marches, but until then, this new and unfamiliar situation allows us to be creative and think outside the box to create other, meaningful alternatives. That is the significance of creating a community at a time like this," Neuwirth said.

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