Activist Ejected from Birmingham Pride for Criticizing Police

Birmingham Pride Protest: Activist Peter Tatchell Removed from Parade for Criticizing Police Birmingham, UK – Veteran LGBTQ+ rights activist Peter Tatchell was forcibly removed from the Birmingham Pride parade on Saturday, May 24th, after criticizing West Midlands Police's failure to apologize for past anti-LGBTQ+ actions. Tatchell, known for his outspoken activism, held a sign reading, “West Midlands police refuse to apologise for anti-LGBT+ witch-hunts. SHAME! Apologise now”. According to Tatchell, police officers claimed he was unauthorized to march and removed him from the parade. However, Tatchell stated, “The Pride CEO, Lawrence Barton, authorised me to march in the parade and never gave the police any instructions to remove me.” He further alleges that the police removed him specifically because of his criticism of their past behavior. “The police clearly removed me because they objected to my criticism of their past homophobia,” he said. West Midlands Police confirmed that Tatchell was not arrested but offered no further comment on the incident. The incident has sparked debate about freedom of speech and the role of police in Pride events. The contrast between the celebratory atmosphere of Pride and the forceful removal of a prominent activist highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding LGBTQ+ rights and police accountability in the UK. The Pride organizers have yet to publicly comment on the incident beyond Lawrence Barton's statement to Tatchell. The incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ rights and the importance of holding institutions accountable for past injustices.