South Wales Police has issued a statement following an incident at the Pride Cymru march in Cardiff. Although the day largely passed without incident, with thousands marching through the city centre in a celebration of LGBTQ+ rights, police had to intervene when they said a small group tried to block the procession.
The group was asked by police officers to move on. Reports and videos of the incident circulated on social media, with South Wales Police issuing a statement later on Saturday evening.
A spokesperson said: "South Wales Police worked closely with the local authority and Pride Cymru to facilitate a march through Cardiff City Centre on Saturday August 27. During the event, officers were required to engage with a small protest group who had assembled themselves on the route to block the procession.
READ MORE: Pride Cymru returns to the streets of Cardiff in full force after two-year hiatus
"To ensure no further disruption to the event, officers asked the group to move to an alternative location nearby which they agreed to do. Officers explained why they needed to move, provided guidance about protesting lawfully and offered to facilitate a lawful protest.
"The group was cooperative and left the area shortly after. Contrary to some social media reports, nobody was arrested or forcibly moved by officers. "
The parade started at 11am and journeyed through Queen Street and St Mary Street before passing the castle on its way to City Hall, where a festival stage was set up for a ticketed Pride Cymru event. Throughout the parade, many people held up banners in support of trans rights.
First Minister Mark Drakeford put out a statement on social media in support of Pride Cymru. In a video, he said: "It's fantastic to be back here at a Pride march in Cardiff for the first time in three years.
"The importance of the event is to both mark the enormous progress there has been in Wales over recent years but to look ahead as well to struggles still to come. No ground for any progressive movement was ever gained without a struggle and while today is a celebration it also marks the sacrifice and the contributions of those who have gone before and sets us on the path to an even more successful future."
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