NSW Police have been requested to not march at Saturday’s Sydney Homosexual and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade by the occasion’s organisers.
The Sydney Homosexual and Lesbian Mardi Gras Board mentioned having police take part within the march “may intensify the present emotions of sorrow and misery” within the LGBTQ neighborhood grieving over the deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies.
Uniformed police march within the Mardi Gras parade in 2004.Credit score: Fairfax Media
Beau Lamarre-Condon, a police officer who had beforehand marched within the parade, has been charged with the murders of Baird and Davies and is in custody.
“In latest days, many have voiced their issues to us, notably relating to emotions of unease on the parade,” the Sydney Homosexual and Lesbian Mardi Gras Board mentioned in a press release.
“Their issues centre on whether or not it may nonetheless be an area to protest, rejoice, and advocate for equality, in addition to to honour and grieve for these we’ve misplaced, given the NSW Police’s participation on this yr’s occasion.
Beau Lamarre-Condon marching within the 2020 Mardi Gras parade in Sydney.Credit score: AAP
“Our neighborhood wants house to grieve the lack of Jesse and Luke who, earlier than this tragedy, would have been right here celebrating with us on the competition,” the assertion mentioned.
“In gentle of this, the Sydney Homosexual and Lesbian Mardi Gras Board feels that having the NSW Police march this yr may add to the misery inside our communities, already deeply affected by latest occasions. The board has taken the choice to request that the police don’t march within the 2024 parade.”
“This resolution was not made frivolously, particularly contemplating that many NSW Police members who take part within the parade are additionally members of the LGBTQIA+ neighborhood and are navigating the affect of this tragedy alongside us … This resolution permits house for the neighborhood to heal this yr and acknowledges the profound grief and pressure that we’re enduring.”