Amid war, Jerusalem gay pride parade a subdued affair
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STORY: :: Thousands march in a subdued, heavily secured gay pride parade in Jerusalem after months of war :: May 30, 2024 :: Jerusalem :: Eliza Gilman, Participant "The theme of the Pride March is Freedom. We are waiting for everyone to come home to us, and we are waiting for everyone here to be free, to be proud and out of who they are." :: Yair Lapid, Knesset Lawmaker "This year is sad year for everybody else, but it's still very important to defend the world values, to defend the gay community, and to have this this opportunity to join together and speak for those who are here with us and for those who are not here with us." :: Hadas Kerem, Participant "The fight for freedom for the hostages, and the fight for freedom for LGBTQ people who live in Israel and specifically in Jerusalem, which is extremely important to us. And because of that, even though the complexity we decided to choose and create this demonstration to work together in the fight for freedom." LGBTQ+ supporters marched through the streets of Jerusalem carrying rainbow flags, Israeli flags and yellow ribbons, a symbol for hostages still held in Gaza. Absent were the vibrant cheers and music that usually accompany the event. Organizers estimated that some 10,000 people joined the march. Police said some 2,000 officers were on guard. The turnout was smaller than in previous years. Last year's parade in Jerusalem was estimated to have drawn over 30,000 people. This year's parade adopted the slogan "Born to be Free," and was led in part by the forum of families and supporters of hostages abducted during Hamas' Oct. 7 assault on southern Israel that sparked the war in Gaza. Some protesters appeared on the sidelines holding signs against the parade. There were no unexpected incidents or violence, the organizers said.
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