Last night, the NSW Police was officially uninvited from this year’s Mardi Gras parade. A press conference held at Taylor Square featuring Pride in Protest, Blak Caucus, the NSW Council for Civil Liberties, the Inner City Legal Centre, and the NSW Greens who showed support for this surprising move.
Pride in Protest made waves online posting a viral statement on Friday, advocating for the disarmament of NSW Police and their removal from the march. This call for action follows the alleged double murder of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies by Senior Constable Beau Lamarre-Condon, casting doubt on the appropriateness of police participation in celebrating LGBTQIA+ pride.
Several floats have also threatened to boycott the parade unless the police are excluded.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of the double murder, there has been reflection on the relationship between law enforcement and the LGBTQIA+ community.
It now appears that police will be able to march in mufti.
Image: Image courtesy of Olivia Bui
Produced By: Olivia Bui
Featured In Story: Liz Atkins, Councillor of Damun/Stanmore Ward, Inner West Council for the Greens, Wei Thai-Haynes, member of Pride In Protest , Josh Pallas, past President of New South Wales Council For Civil Liberties, NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb, and NSW Premiere Chris Minns
First aired on The Wire, Wednesday 28 February 2024