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Anti-cop protesters get the Sydney Mardi Gras parade off to a heated start as they march and chant ‘stop police attacks’ – after officers were allowed to join the event

A large crowd of protesters have marched through Hyde Park in Sydney ahead of Saturday’s mardi gras parade to protest the involvement of NSW Police.

Marching through the park towards the marshalling area for the parade on Saturday, the crowd chanted ‘stop police attacks on gays, women and blacks’.

The organisers, Pride in Protest, also sparked chaos in Darlinghurst, the heart of the city’s LGBTQI+ community on Friday night, when about 300 people arrived for the same reason.


Police were formally uninvited to march in this year’s parade following the arrest of a serving police officer, who was charged with the alleged murders of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies.

Mr Davies was honoured with a special float by Qantas, his former employer.

The Mardi Gras parade in Sydney kicked off with anti-police protests (pictured)

The Mardi Gras parade in Sydney kicked off with anti-police protests (pictured)

The Mardi Gras parade in Sydney kicked off with anti-police protests (pictured)

Protestors were seen holding Aboriginal and Palestinian flags (pictured)

Protestors were seen holding Aboriginal and Palestinian flags (pictured)

Protestors were seen holding Aboriginal and Palestinian flags (pictured)


The protests (pictured) comes as tensions remain high between law enforcement and LGBTQI+ community following the deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies

The protests (pictured) comes as tensions remain high between law enforcement and LGBTQI+ community following the deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies

The protests (pictured) comes as tensions remain high between law enforcement and LGBTQI+ community following the deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies

Luke Davies was honoured by his former employer Qanats on a float (pictured) at the parade

Luke Davies was honoured by his former employer Qanats on a float (pictured) at the parade

Luke Davies was honoured by his former employer Qanats on a float (pictured) at the parade

Revellers turned up in some wild and wacky costumes for the 46th annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras

Revellers turned up in some wild and wacky costumes for the 46th annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras

Revellers turned up in some wild and wacky costumes for the 46th annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras

Officers on duty will be out in force at the parade, however, drawing further ire from the group.


Pride in Protest organisers summoned those marching with the group to Town Hall for a ‘speak out’ event from 2pm on Saturday, with the march towards the marshalling area in Hyde Park taking place just after 4pm.

Sharing a photo of the police contingent assigned to the group’s pre-parade protest on Instagram, organisers remarked: ‘This might as well be their float’.

In the marshalling area, one protester brandished a large sign showing a gun with blood splatter, flanked by the rainbow flag.

Police will allege in court Beau Lamarre-Condon, who worked in the NSW Police Youth Command, used his service weapon to kill the pair, who had recently started dating.


Following a meeting with police commissioner Karen Webb, officers were again allowed to march, however not in uniform, and they are not permitted to be carrying weapons.

Officers on duty will be out in force at the parade, however, drawing further ire from the group.

Pride in Protest organisers summoned those marching with the group to Town Hall for a ‘speak out’ event from 2pm on Saturday, with the march towards the marshalling area in Hye Park taking place just after 4pm. 

Sharing a photo of the police contingent assigned to the group’s pre-parade protest on Instagram, organisers remarked: ‘This might as well be their float’.


In the marshalling area, one protester brandished a large sign showing a gun with blood splatter, flanked by the rainbow flag.

A costume police uniform was draped on top of the canvas, which read: ‘Missing these?’

Officers from NSW Police (pictured left) were allowed to march at the parade after previously being uninvited to the event

Officers from NSW Police (pictured left) were allowed to march at the parade after previously being uninvited to the event

Officers from NSW Police (pictured left) were allowed to march at the parade after previously being uninvited to the event

Where can you watch Sydney’s Mardi Gras Parade?


Saturday night’s mardi gras Parade will begin on the corner of Hyde Park and Oxford Street at 7.30pm, travel along Oxford and Flinders Streets and conclude at Moore Park about 11pm.

Watching from the street is free, but crowds are expected to be heaving along the parade route and throughout the city, with parties taking place across the CBD.

Anyone wanting to avoid the crowds can buy tickets for prime viewing areas, with some still available on Saturday afternoon.

Those watching from home can tune in on ABC from 7.30pm or on iview.


Saturday night's Mardi Gras Parade will kick off at the corner of Hyde Park and Oxford on in Sydney Saturday night at 7.30pm (pictured people at the Mardi Gras parade)

Saturday night's Mardi Gras Parade will kick off at the corner of Hyde Park and Oxford on in Sydney Saturday night at 7.30pm (pictured people at the Mardi Gras parade)

Saturday night’s Mardi Gras Parade will kick off at the corner of Hyde Park and Oxford on in Sydney Saturday night at 7.30pm (pictured people at the Mardi Gras parade)

Thousands of attendees (pictured) will be marching at the event

Thousands of attendees (pictured) will be marching at the event

Thousands of attendees (pictured) will be marching at the event 

Large crowds are expected to turn up (pictured attendees at Sydney’s Mardi Gras parade)

The broadcast will be hosted by Australia’s most iconic drag star, Courtney Act, non-binary musician G-Flip, actor Remy Hii, and ABCQueer host Mon Schafter.


Parade to halt for moment of silence

Organisers of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade have revealed they will halt the parade through to pay tribute Mr Baird and Mr Davies, amid sombre reflections on the couple’s lives days ahead of the event.

Mr Baird, 26 and his boyfriend Mr Davies, 29, were allegedly murdered at Baird’s sharehouse in Paddington at about 9.30am in February 19.

Senior constable Beau Lamarre-Condon is accused of using his police-issued pistol to shoot them, before dumping the bodies at a rural property.


Organisers of the Mardi Gras parade have revealed they will halt the parade through to pay tribute Mr Baird and Mr Davies (pictured)

Organisers of the Mardi Gras parade have revealed they will halt the parade through to pay tribute Mr Baird and Mr Davies (pictured)

Organisers of the Mardi Gras parade have revealed they will halt the parade through to pay tribute Mr Baird and Mr Davies (pictured)

A moment of silence will be observed for the young couple during this evening’s parade, which is due to start at 6pm.

‘We will take a moment to honour and remember Jesse Baird and Luke Davies, whose lives were tragically taken from us,’ Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras said in a statement on Saturday.

‘This moment of commemoration serves as a powerful reminder of the bonds that unite us and the memories of those we hold dear.


‘As the Dykes on Bikes approach Taylor Square for their second pass – the heart of our Parade – they will come to a pause.

‘This serves as a signal for all attendees to join in a moment of silence.’

Mr Davies will also be honoured by his former employer, Qantas, on its float during the parade.

Hundreds of people gathered in Green Park in Darlinghurst on Friday night, an evening that would usually signal the start of a weekend of celebration and partying.


Instead, friends, family and members of the LGBTQIA+ community gathered at dusk to pay tribute to the lives of the young couple whose live were cut so tragically short.

Attendees (pictures) of the event will begin marching when the parade kicks off at 7.30pm with the parade concluding at Moore Park at around 11pm

Attendees (pictures) of the event will begin marching when the parade kicks off at 7.30pm with the parade concluding at Moore Park at around 11pm

Attendees (pictures) of the event will begin marching when the parade kicks off at 7.30pm with the parade concluding at Moore Park at around 11pm

 

 


 

 

 

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