"Spectacular," John Hugo, president of Super Happy Fun America, said when asked how he thought the parade went. Organizers rallied supporters to "fight against heterophobia in our modern society" and to "add an S to LGBTQ for Straight!" "Today, we are showing them that their hate cannot stop us!" Sahady yelled from the stage, directing his comments to the counter protesters on the other side of the fence separated by police officers. The event mocked "Pride" parades typically associated with LGBTQ advocacy.Ĭonservative commentator Milo Yiannopoulos served as the parade's grand marshal. But by the time he and other speakers took the stage outside City Hall, the counter protesters had multiplied while the straight-pride marchers had reduced considerably from their original size. Straight people are the "oppressed majority," they said. The parade's organizers, led by three straight Massachusetts men involved in Republican politics, said the parade was inspired by the "identity politics" of the left. He said four officers sustained injuries that were not life-threatening. Thirty-six people were arrested for a range of different charges, according to Boston police Sargent Detective John Boyle. Some counter protesters confronted police, who at one point appeared to use pepper spray on a group of anti-parade demonstrators. The police presence was so large, and fencing so vast, that many marchers struggled to make their way inside the plaza outside City Hall for the rally that followed the one-hour parade that stetched one mile. They wore helmets, held gas masks and some had military garb. "We outnumber you!"Ī massive contingent of police, including extra officers from neighboring cites, was present throughout, often getting in between the competing sides. "Boston doesn't want you!" one man yelled. Other people just stopped to see what was going on. Protesters, including many who identified with the anti-fascist group antifa, shouted "Nazi scum!" Some greeted the straight-pride marchers with their middle fingers and yelled expletives. The entire length of the parade's route was flanked with fencing, but the demonstrators followed alongside the whole way en route to City Hall.
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More: 'Straight Pride' parade group in Boston calls Brad Pitt its mascot, organizer ran for Congressīut the marchers were met by even more left-wing counter protesters, numbering more than 1,000, turning the event into competing demonstrations.
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"Whether you are straight and part of the oppressed majority, or here as an ally supporting us, we welcome you to the greatest parade in the history of the world!" "I am here to say, 'I am straight, hear me roar!'" said Mark Sahady, vice president of a group called Super Happy Fun America, which put on the parade. A man dressed as a giant dinosaur set the pace up front. They held American and Israeli flags while Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the U.S.A." blasted from speakers. The conservative-aligned marchers – many wearing "Make America Great Again" hats and other gear promoting President Donald Trump – started from Copley Square with a "Trump bridge" serving as the primary float.