By Sue Goldstein,
6 July 2009, Toronto
Queers Against Israeli Apartheid

This year’s Pride march was marked by intense pressure from pro-Zionist forces to keep Queers Against Israeli Apartheid (QuAIA) from participating. Pro-Israel groups were already hopping mad when the Grand Marshall of the Pride Parade, El-Farouk Khaki, gave opening remarks at a 23 May event put on by QuAIA. A story in the National Post not long after claimed that Pride had banned the group, despite the fact that QuAIA had yet to put in its application to march. Between Frank Dimant of B’Nai Brith – who claimed the group was “hijacking” the gay agenda – and Bernie Farber of the Canadian Jewish Congress (CJC) – saying despite its political roots, Pride was “about fun” – a lot of pressure was put on the organizers of this large and overly corporate event to keep QuAIA out. However, despite persistent complaints from Zionists, Pride Toronto did not cave in. Executive director, Tracey Sandilands, stated clearly before the event: “We are not going to ban anybody from the parade.”

QuAIA, marching together with Women in Solidarity with Palestine (WSP), gathered 180 women and trans folk for the Dyke March and over 200 for the contingent on Pride day. With large colourful banners and lots of spirit, the group was met with lots of cheering and support. The slogan that QuAIA chose as a message was “I’m Out Against Israeli Apartheid,” focusing on the difficulties people run into when they dare speak up about the actions of the Israeli regime. Other messages included “We Stand in Solidarity with Queers in Palestine” and “Anti-Zionism is Not Antisemitism.” Also marching with QuAIA and WSP were some of the organizers from the Simon Nkoli Anti-Apartheid Committee (SNAAC), and a group of “Nice Jewish Boys Against Israeli Apartheid.” As the group moved down Yonge, many onlookers joined in with the chants of “Free Free Palestine” and “From Iraq to Palestine: Occupation is a Crime.”

The marching was not without incident, however. At the Dyke march a woman holding a banner was accosted by someone, who attempted to pull the cloth from her hands violently. As the group waited to march on Sunday, they were hounded by a couple of women waving huge Israeli flags, chanting “Down with Hamas.” Another woman, who publishes a Christian Zionist blog with a soft spot for the Jewish Defence League, stood and filmed the contingent at length was asked to stop. A little later, one of the videographers in the contingent had her camera smashed by a tourist staying in the area, who was angered by the presence of any criticism of the Israeli state. As the QuAIA and WSP contingent went down Yonge Street, a bottle was thrown from the second story of a building. Two people were slightly injured. For the most part, however, it was a successful weekend that began with Toronto’s first ever Trans March.

Look for QuAIA upcoming events http://www.quaia.org. And join with WSP and CAIA this Friday @ 6 PM to protest the ROM’s Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit (stolen Palestinian artifacts). University and Bloor.