Socialist Republicans Disrupt Belfast Pride Over PSNI Attendance

On July 18, socialist republicans from Conradh na Saoirse Náisiúnta (CSN) and BDS Belfast disrupted a “pinkwashing” event with the PSNI held by Belfast Pride. 

During the event, socialist republican activists stood up, and disrupted the proceedings. The activists said that questions were filtered in order to “control the narrative”. Hence, they decided to interrupt the event. 

“You're continuing to pump money into software for Israel. You're continuing to pump money into body armour for Israel. You've trained Israeli security forces. My question is, why do you all sit there thinking that this is an appropriate event? , “ one speaker said. 

“Israel is a country which harasses LGBT people and blackmails LGBT people and says, if you don't cooperate with us, we'll out you. Numerous Palestinians have documented the fact that Israel blackmails them by using their LGBT status to get them to be informers. I am not affiliated with Israel. Your organisation is pumping money into Israel. That should be an absolute red line, “ he continued. 

The event claimed that “love in every colour includes PSNI green” and included representatives from the PSNI. “One wonders if it will be UVF purple next, “ said the CSN in a statement to Aontacht Media, adding that “no more than a rebranded RUC, the PSNI are the same people with the same goals: a hypermilitarised colonial militia, regularly seen travelling in armoured convoys around working class areas of the occupied six counties, knocking down doors of republican activists to drag them out of their beds for them to be interned without trial and tortured in British prisons, all whilst colluding with loyalist paramilitaries and turning a blind eye to fascist gangs burning migrants out of their homes”. 

“[We] protested the inclusion of jackbooted thugs at this event, demanding the end of the participation of crown forces in Belfast Pride. These people should not be normalised or platformed but exposed for who they are: a disgusting, sectarian, bigoted militia who serve as the front line of the British occupation. They will never be an ally to the queer community but are rather the foremost obstacle to their liberation, “ the statement concluded.