London Pride has been hit by Just Stop Oil protestors who halted the parade today, as over a million Brits are expected to turn out to celebrate.
Pride celebrations have returned to London today, with huge crowds expected to hit the streets for this afternoon’s parades.
Huge crowds swathed in rainbows and glitter will walk from Hyde Park to Whitehall to celebrate unity and equality for London and the country’s LGBTQ+ community.
However, this comes as the celebration threatens to be overshadowed by Just Stop Oil.
The protest group launched their members into the parade around 1.30pm this afternoon, as protesters sat down in front of the Coca Cola truck, halting the parade but not stopping the party.
Videos showed members of Just Stop Oil spraying the ground, as parade volunteers back off.
Then they sat down in front of the truck and since seemingly remain in place.
But around 16 minutes later, a large dispatch of officers from the Metropolitan police arrived, and removed the protestors to cheers.
Seven protestors were arrested for public nuisance offences and the parade continued shortly after.
One witness said that the activists spoiled the fun for thousands of people.
Neil, 49, from East London, was watching the parade when the protesters ran out in front of him and blocked the Coca-Cola truck.
“There was about eight of them I think. Eight people spoiling fun for thousands of people.”
He added that the group did it for the “attention”.
“They want the attention don’t they?” he said.
“And until they get the attention they’ll sit themselves down.”
This comes after the protest group threatened Pride earlier this week with LGBT+ members saying high-polluting partners "embarrass" their community.
They added: “It speaks to how far we’ve come as a community that high-polluting industries and the banks that fund them now see Pride as a useful vehicle for sanitising their reputations, waving rainbow flags in one hand whilst accelerating social collapse with the other.”
They released a statement this week threatening to disrupt the parade due to the involvement of one of the sponsors - United Airlines.
They also outlined a series of demands to the event, including wanting to know where funding came from, and pressuring Pride to make a statement aligning with their own beliefs.
Just Stop Oil faced, even more, widespread criticism for their decision to seemingly target the celebratory event of LGBTQ+ groups in this country.
They warned that they “may or may not take action” at this weekend’s events.
Just Stop Oil said: “If London Pride fails to take these basic steps necessary to protect our community, we will have to consider potential escalations which may result in the disruption of Pride.
“We will also call for the entire LGBTQ+ community to join us in protest and boycott – for the safety of LGBTQ+ people everywhere.”
In spite of that, huge numbers are expected for the celebrations this weekend and there is said to be a great atmosphere at today’s walk.
The parade began with a sea of rainbow flags and motorcyclists leading the groups and will begin through the afternoon.
Music was blared out during the party atmosphere.
Today marks 51 years since the first Pride march when 2,000 people took to the streets in support of gay rights.
Last year, on the 50th anniversary, over 1.5million people turned out, travelling from across the UK.
There will be a number of performances including Queen’s Adam Lambert, theatre icon Idina Menzel, and singer Todrick Hall all headlining at the free Trafalgar stage from 12pm onwards.
In Leicester Square Grace Parry, Eloise Viola, the West End cast of Tina the Musical and Adam All and Apple Derrieres will all perform.
London mayor Sadiq Khan described Just Stop Oil as a “really important pressure group”.
He said: “I agree with protesting in a way that is lawful, safe, and peaceful.
“I think that Extinction Rebellion and Just Stop Oil are really important pressure groups trying to put power on those who have power and influence.
“I fully support the right to protest. It’s really important to recognise the joy of a democracy is protest.”
Mr Khan was also asked how he felt about Just Stop Oil’s threats to disrupt the event.
“I am somebody who feels quite passionately that we have to tackle the climate emergency,” he said.
He added: “And I feel quite passionately about encouraging people to join the movement to tackle the climate emergency.
“In my view, protest should be peaceful, lawful, and safe.”
