Response to Pride Organisers and Police

At Brighton Pride an anti-cuts 'Queers Against the Cuts' bloc registered to march in the parade but was sent to the back by Pride organisers and Police. Participants were subjected to kettling and intimidation throughout the parade. See reports here and here. Peter Tatchell said,

"Throughout the march they were kettled by police on foot and horseback, and subjected to repeated intimidation. The group was peaceful and orderly. There was no justification for the way they were mistreated. No other political contingent was abused in this way. It marred what was otherwise a great parade.

"Participating groups should not be subjected to political vetting or censorship. I hope this was just a case of over-zealous, maverick stewarding and policing and not officially sanctioned by the Brighton Pride organisers."

Brighton Pride: Anti-Cuts Bloc Threatened by Organisers and Kettled by Police

Despite being a commercial and increasingly de-politicised event for years, this year's Brighton Pride was run privately after the Pride South East charity faced mounting debts. Last year the event was ticketed with a security firm keeping people out of Preston Park. This was the latest stop on the route towards a completely non-political and commercial Pride event in Brighton.

 This year a 'Queers Against the Cuts' bloc was arranged, well in advance, by Brighton and Hove Socialist Party member Beth Granter (her personal statement can be found here and is quoted from below). The aim was to include political slogans specifically highlighting the impact of the cuts in Britain and the need for a mass campaign against the cuts.

PRIDE 2012: FROM ‘RIGHTS’ TO LIBERATION!

Many Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Queer (LGBTQ) people are looking for an alternative to the non-political scene that has been the backdrop to our lives for the past 15 to 20 years. In Britain, much has been achieved - anti-discrimination laws, civil partnerships and adoption rights to name a few legal reforms - and social attitudes have changed for the better, but homophobia, biphobia and transphobia have not gone away. Many LGBTQ people face discrimination on a daily basis, including being unable to come out for fear of family, workplace or social rejection. Passing laws banning discrimination does not end prejudice. Growing numbers of LGBTQ people, especially young people, are coming to the conclusion that legal reform is not enough. How can we win not just LGBTQ rights but also liberation? In 78 countries, homosexual acts are still illegal. In five the maximum penalty is death.