Crowds celebrate Pride in Waterloo region despite security concerns
Hundreds of people turned up for the inaugural Pride street party in Cambridge on Saturday, while others packed Victoria Park in Kitchener for the Tri- Pride event.
"We have so many people that are just so excited this is happening in their streets, so here we are celebrating,” said Bryan Causarano, board member of Grand River Pride.
According to those attending, the events carry renewed significance in the face of a rising tide of hate towards the LGBTQ2S+ community.
In recent days there have been instances of damaged Pride art and décor locally, including tire marks found on Waterloo's Rainbow Crosswalk at Willis Way.
A 59-year-old man was also recently charged in connection with Pride signs being removed and threatening people in Cambridge.
On Friday, anti-trans protesters faced-off against counter protesters in Ottawa, where five people were arrested.
In the lead-up to Pride Month, the National Association of Canada Pride Organizations sent an emergency funding proposal to the federal government to help cover security costs amid rising anti-Queer hate, violence and threats.
“We had to increase our security this year from our normal amounts,” said Fabian Fletcher, the president of the board of directors for Tri-Pride. “We went from two to six actually just to make sure that, you know, we have safety in our community.”
Despite their concerns, organizers said Saturday’s events in Waterloo region have been a huge success.
“We’re just here to celebrate and have a good time and remind folks that pride is a celebration but also a protest,” said Fletcher.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Chants of 'shame on you' greet guests arriving for the annual White House correspondents' dinner
An election-year roast of U.S. President Joe Biden before journalists, celebrities and politicians at the annual White House correspondents' dinner Saturday.
What is a 'halal mortgage'? Does it make housing more accessible?
The 2024 federal budget announced on April 16 included plans to introduce “halal mortgages” as a way to increase access to home ownership.
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'doesn't get' the global phenomenon.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Harvey Weinstein hospitalized after return to New York from upstate prison
Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer said Saturday that the onetime movie mogul has been hospitalized for a battery of tests after his return to New York City following an appeals court ruling nullifying his 2020 rape conviction.
'We are declaring our readiness': No decision made yet as Poland declares it's ready to host nuclear weapons
Polish President Andrzej Duda says while no decision has been made around whether Poland will host nuclear weapons as part of an expansion of the NATO alliance’s nuclear sharing program, his country is willing and prepared to do so.
Central Alberta queer groups react to request from Red Deer-South to reinstate Jennifer Johnson to UCP caucus
A number of LGBQT+2s groups in Central Alberta are pushing back against a request from the Red Deer South UCP constituency to reinstate MLA Jennifer Johnson into the UCP caucus.