There had been debate among the LGBTQ community in Minneapolis over the inclusion of law enforcement in festivities, leading up the 2017 Twin Cities Pride parade. Many remain shaken by the acquittal of ex-officer Jeronimo Yanez in the Philando Castile trial, resulting in various forms of protest around the city, including a call for the parade's organizers to omit the participation of police from this year's events. But the request was ultimately turned down, with the parade's handlers posing that leaving members of the law enforcement community out would be contradictory of its mission to promote inclusion. And thus the table was set for a face off between those carrying the annual Ashley Rukes GLBT Pride tradition forth, and those who looked to stand in its way.
Close to 150 protesters formed a block in an effort to prevent the parade from continuing on Sunday, June 25. People on foot, bike, and wheelchair pulled up before the procession with signs that read “Black Lives Matter” and “No KKKops at Pride! Make Pride Revolutionary Again!” And they chanted slogans in support of justice for Castile, echoing "No justice, no pride!" as the zest began to widdle away from onlookers cheering from the side streets. Tens of thousands of dancing, flag-waving marchers were forced to halt, with demonstrators at one point laying down in the streets to hold up festivities.
While the confrontation is reported to have slowed the parade down by an hour, it didn't remain stagnant. Protesters would eventually move along with the parade and stop to rally at intersections along the route.
Source: nydailynews.com
