Capital Pride Parade Canceled Following Protest by Queers for Palestine

The Capital Pride Parade was abruptly canceled on August 24, 2024, following a protest by the group Queers For Palestine Ottawa (Q4P-O). The parade was halted shortly after its commencement at 1 p.m. when Q4P-O members blocked the route on Wellington Street near O’Connor Street. This action was taken in response to Capital Pride’s previous decision to retract its statement supporting Palestinians, issued earlier in the year.

Q4P-O, invited to participate by parade grand marshal Miss Patience Plush, demanded accountability from both Capital Pride and Ottawa’s mayor, Mark Sutcliffe. Their protest paused the parade for nearly two hours before Capital Pride officials announced the cancellation. Over 10,000 participants, representing approximately 200 groups, were expected to march that day, but most remained at the staging area near City Hall when the event was called off.

In an interview with the Ottawa Citizen, Q4P-O member Masha Davidovic explained their rationale for blocking the parade. “The decision was made to halt the march until Capital Pride and the mayor came to be accountable to their community,” Davidovic stated. “We wanted a public commitment to supporting our values instead of using the day as a photo-op without accountability.”

Following the cancellation, David Breault, a board member of Capital Pride, provided insight into the situation during his first media interview since the incident. He emphasized that Q4P-O was making demands beyond their authority. Breault noted that Capital Pride’s executive director, Callie Metler, was attempting to negotiate a reroute of the parade with Q4P-O on the day of the protest. However, logistical challenges prevented any adjustments since Capital Pride had permits allowing for the closure of only specific streets.

“We very much waited until the last call,” Breault explained. “Even rerouting a parade isn’t something that can be done in an hour.” He elaborated on the extensive preparation required for a successful parade, including city notifications, barricade setups, and volunteer organization.

Breault expressed concern that Capital Pride is often held to high expectations despite being a small non-profit organization with just one full-time staff member and a volunteer board. He urged Mayor Sutcliffe to consider the challenges faced by the organization as they plan for future events. “We regularly punch above our weight class in terms of delivering one of the largest festivals in the city, largely done by volunteers,” he said.

The day after the parade’s cancellation, Sutcliffe stated at a news conference that it is Capital Pride’s responsibility to ensure such disruptions do not occur again. Breault acknowledged the seriousness of the situation but reiterated the need for collaboration and support rather than placing all responsibility on Capital Pride.

Looking ahead, Capital Pride plans to engage with Q4P-O and other community groups to discuss the events of the parade. Breault stated, “I think it’s very important we have a discussion with them about what happened during this parade. I don’t think anybody won Sunday.”

In the aftermath, Capital Pride has begun reaching out to participants who were affected by the cancellation, aiming to gather feedback and perspectives. Breault noted that while it was physically impossible to notify every participant about the cancellation in person, the organization is committed to listening to concerns and improving future events.

“We’re going to take this very seriously over the next few months,” he said. “We want to ensure that those who were there understand where we’re at and what our next steps will be.”