RAF
Protests Planned Against Red Arrows Flypast
A flypast by the Red Arrows at London’s Pride parade could be met by protests after claims it is militarising the event.
Nine jets from the Red Arrows display team will perform the flypast at the parade on 25 June.
Soldiers, sailors and air crews are also expected to march in uniform with the community.
However, critics say the involvement of the military is against the spirit of the event, despite forces personnel taking part in previous years.
RAF personnel on parade during London Pride in 2014
Activists will gather outside London’s City Hall tonight for a vigil in protest at the plans and further action could take place on the day of the parade itself.
On a Facebook page for the vigil at City Hall they say: "A coalition of LGBTQI and anti-militarist groups are holding a vigil in response to the news that the RAF's Red Arrows will be flying over London Pride.
"The British military is deeply implicated in a history of homophobic and transphobic oppression, and is responsible for the destruction of human lives, including those of foreign LGBTQ communities, and the social infrastructure that supports them."
"On a day that commemorates and celebrates the courageous struggles of past and present LGBTQ individuals and communities against oppression and violent prejudice, we find it deeply offensive that the event is providing a platform for the RAF to sanitise its image and divert attention away from its role in executing British military objectives across the world, and the human suffering that such operations involve."
Despite the criticism, less than 100 people have confirmed they are attending the event on the page.
A senior volunteer for Pride accused the activists of bullying: "There's a group of people who try and disrupt Pride every year. It's really upsetting that a day that is all about acceptance can be targeted in this way.
"It feels like we are being bullied. If people don’t like the Pride we have created, then they should form their own event rather than try and spoil ours."
The Director of Communications for Pride in London, James Holt, said:
"We are proud to have the Armed Forces in our parade and they always get a great reaction from the crowds. It is an incredible symbol of acceptance."
"This year for the first time ever, the Red Arrows are flying over Pride in London. They are doing this as a mark of respect for their LGBT+ colleagues in the RAF.
"After many years of exclusion and oppression, being able to serve our country openly is one of the most significant steps forward in equality we have seen."
The Ministry of Defence refused to comment.
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