Tensions flared during the London Pride march as two progressive groups clashed, with climate change activists deliberately obstructing an LGBT float. Just Stop Oil, a coalition advocating for the government’s commitment to cease new fossil fuel licensing and production, took action during the Pride parade.
#LondonPride was shut down for a time as radical environmentalist group Just Stop Oil made good on their promise to disrupt the event. Just Stop Oil had demanded London Pride disclose their corporate financing & to commit to the anti-fossil fuel cause. pic.twitter.com/ZrAx9e3UcF
— Andy Ngô 🏳️🌈 (@MrAndyNgo) July 1, 2023
Seven members of the extremist environmental group targeted an LGBT float sponsored by Coca-Cola. Video footage captured the activists spray-painting pink and black symbols on the pavement and the rainbow-flag-draped open-air bus. The protesters then sat on the road in front of the float, bringing the parade to a standstill.
After 16 minutes, police arrested the protesters for public nuisance, and the parade resumed one minute later. Just Stop Oil defended their disruption, demanding the Pride march organizers issue a statement condemning new oil and gas licenses.
They accused Pride in London of collaborating with industries exacerbating the climate crisis and failing to protect marginalized people like those belonging to the LGBT community.
“Pride is a protest. But Pride in London allows destructive industries such as Coca-Cola, who are the world’s biggest plastic polluter and who have been accused of numerous human rights abuses, to co-opt it and pinkwash themselves,” the group stated.
They further emphasized the life-threatening consequences of new oil and gas development for millions of people, claiming the LGBT community was particularly vulnerable.
In response, Will De’Athe-Morris from Pride in London asserted that Pride is both a protest and a celebration, fighting for LGBT rights and advocating for the rights of transgenders in a separate march.
De’Athe-Morris expressed disappointment with the disruption, stating those who obstruct the parade undermine the efforts of those who come together annually to celebrate and protest for these rights. The clash between the two progressive groups highlights the discrepancies regarding the leftist way of thinking.
According to Just Stop Oil, climate change is an urgent crisis that threatens the lives and well-being of marginalized communities, including the LGBT community. By targeting a Pride float sponsored by Coca-Cola, they sought to raise awareness about the alleged complicity of large corporations in contributing to the “climate crisis” and human rights abuses.
As discussions continue between the groups involved, the incident remains a stark reminder of the irrationality of progressive movements. Ultimately, both climate change activists and LGBT rights advocates share in their lack of understanding about what real oppression looks like.
