Thousands gather in central Auckland to march with pride
Controversy was nowhere to be seen yesterday as the #ourmarch pride event through the streets of Auckland began fittingly beneath the statue of Queen Victoria in Albert Park.
Short speeches before the parade set off at 5pm made a call to “stamp our feet and be heard today” as thousands of the LGBTQ+ community gathered to march.
The event is a replacement of sorts for the traditional Pride Parade down Ponsonby Rd which last year caused controversy after police were asked not to attend in uniforms.
Sponsors had returned to #ourmarch with a large Spark banner carried in the parade, among hundreds of rainbow flags.
Many major sponsors had pulled out of the Ponsonby Rd parade in support of the police, causing the traditional parade to be cancelled.
Yesterday’s parade followed the central Auckland graduation route, beginning at Albert Park as a nod to LGBTQ+ history in Ta¯ maki Makaurau, as the site of the first gay liberation protest in 1972.
The march proceeded down Victoria St, up Queen St into Aotea Square, culminating in a celebration in Myers Park which ran until 9pm.
“Stand up, fight back” and “Whose streets? Our streets” chanted the crowd as they walked on Queen St.
“People are more important than uniforms right,” Kay Parish said. “We need this parade more than ever this year.”
Martin Dickson, 51, said it was a “day to reclaim the space”.
“It’s just fun. It’s us getting together, diversity of people. Not walking down the street and thinking what that group of guys across the road are going to do, am I safe? This is a celebration.”
Relaxing in Myers Park following the parade Auckland Pride chair Cissy Rock said the event had been a “marvellous” success.