Just Stop Oil has threatened to disrupt this weekend’s London Pride event over its headline sponsor United Airlines.
Ahead of the event on Saturday, Just Stop Oil issued a list of demands for the organisers to consider in order to stop any protest disrupting the event.
Directed to a representative of the board of directors of the event, the protest group demands clarity on where Pride sources its money from, that the organisers make a statement to demand an end to new oil and gas projects, and lastly, that Pride set up a meeting for its volunteers about joining in civil resistance against new oil and gas.
The letter concludes by stating a response is required by 4pm on Thursday.
It added: “Beyond this time or not meeting these demands will mean we may or may not take action at this weekend’s events.”
— Just Stop Oil (@JustStop_Oil) June 29, 2023
Earlier this week, Sadiq Khan faced questions from London Assembly members for failing to show “climate leadership” by not criticising the event’s sponsorship decision.
At a Mayor’s Question Time session, Mr Khan defended himself against claims of “rainbow-washing” with Zack Polanski, the Green Party’s deputy leader asking: “Does the headline sponsor of Pride in London this year demonstrate leadership in tackling the climate crisis?”
The Mayor responded by saying that the event draws “support from all sorts of businesses, charities and organisations”, and that this was “a positive thing, as standing together is a key element of the movement for LGBTQI+ equality”.
Mr Polanski went on to claim Mr Khan was allowing “a big carbon polluter to greenwash, or rainbow-wash in this circumstance, using Pride”.
The Mayor was also questioned about City Hall’s own relationship with United Airlines after it was revealed that the company funded the Mayor’s costs of flights for the mayor and his team, which included journeys from London to New York, New York to San Francisco, San Francisco to Los Angeles and Los Angeles back to London.
A spokesperson for the Mayor of London said: “London’s Pride celebrations are a highlight of our year as more than 1.5m people join together in solidarity and support of our LGBTQI+ communities.
“The Mayor doesn’t want to see these wonderful celebrations disrupted. The event attracts all sorts of businesses, charities and organisations, and Pride in London select sponsors of the event against their core values of visibility, unity, equality, and a commitment to social and environmental responsibility.
“The extreme weather events London has experienced in recent years show how much more needs to be done to tackle the climate emergency, but any potential protestors should consider whether their methods risk turning public opinion against a vitally important cause.”
A spokesperson for Pride in London said: “The safety of others is paramount to Pride in London. This year we are highlighting trans+ joy, ensuring that the community knows that with us, they #NeverMarchAlone.
“We call on all individuals, groups and organisations to give this space the respect and focus it deserves in an increasingly hostile and unsafe world.
“Pride in London is tomorrow, celebrating and protesting for visibility, unity and equality for all LGBT+ people everywhere. All are welcome to attend and mark Pride with the other 1.5 million attendees.
“Our first priority is the safety of our diverse cohort of volunteers, participants including representatives from across the globe. We welcome dialogue with Just Stop Oil after the event and wish everyone a safe and happy Pride.”
