Over 3,000 people marched Thursday in Jerusalem's Gay Pride
Parade, held under the the slogan "We want change," hoisting signs
and LGBT flags.
During the parade, a haredi man lobbed a stink-bomb toward
participants. The man was arrested and taken for an interrogation.
In addition, two haredi women, wearing a donkey and an ape
costume and carrying a sign reading "I'm a proud donkey," were also
arrested after clashing with the marchers.
The parade's organizers demand MKs to promote pro-LGBT
rights legislation. Hundreds of police and Border Guard officers accompany the
parade, which will end at a rally near the Knesset.
"Every year has its provocations. This parade is a
great celebration, and we're not concerned and will keep marching," said
Oren First, 27, a participant in the parade, adding "The thousands
marching here prove that we have a strong community which has made a long way
in keeping its rights.
The hate we witness shows we have still have some way to
go."
Elinor Sidi, executive director of the Jerusalem Open House
of Pride and Tolerance, added that "among the myriad of rights and
freedoms the LGBT community enjoys, only a few were passed by the Knesset and
the overwhelming majority of them were enacted through the High Court of
Justice and other courts.
"Pro-LGBT legislation is still rare. The elected
officials refuse to address the issue of equality and let the High Court do
their job for them."
Sidi added that the Knesset's commitment to the cause
"is based on legislation, not talk. We in the LGBT community have had
enough of talk and promises."
No comments:
Post a Comment