The vibrant streets of Wellington were set to celebrate love, diversity, and inclusion at the annual Pride parade, but the event took an unexpected turn when protesters from the Man Up group, linked to Destiny Church, made their presence known. Around 30 to 40 members of Man Up, wearing their distinctive T-shirts, appeared at the start of the parade, performing a haka in an attempt to disrupt the festivities. This act of protest, however, was met with a powerful response of unity from the parade attendees and swift action from the police, ensuring the celebration of Wellington’s rainbow community continued unabated.
The parade had only been underway for about five minutes when the protesters made their move on Taranaki St. The crowd, undeterred by the interruption, responded with chants of “you are not welcome,” creating a wall of solidarity against the hate. The police, anticipating potential disruptions, had already positioned themselves strategically and quickly formed a line to move the protesters away, allowing the parade to proceed as planned.
At the forefront of the parade was Wellington’s Mayor, Tory Whanau, alongside Wellington Paranormal actor Karen O’Leary. Mayor Whanau praised the police for their prompt response, noting that many attendees were unaware of the brief disturbance. “For those who acted quickly, they did a really wonderful job,” she said, emphasizing the community’s stance against hate. “For those who came here to disrupt, they were here for no reason other than to spread hate and bigotry. They are not welcome here. They are not welcome in Wellington. As you can see with the amazing numbers here, Wellington city is all about diversity, and it’s all about our rainbow community, takatāpui, and it will always remain this way.”
The parade continued its journey down Courtenay Place and Dixon St, culminating at the iconic rainbow crossing on Cuba St, symbolizing the city’s commitment to inclusivity. Karen O’Leary, reflecting on the incident, chose to focus on the positive spirit of the event. “I didn’t pay any attention, because it doesn’t deserve any of my attention. It means nothing to me,” she stated, highlighting the importance of the supportive crowd over the disruption. “What means more to me is the number of people who turned out here with a very positive attitude, and just care about what makes other people feel happy, that’s the important thing.”
The actions of the Man Up group were not new; they had previously disrupted events at the Auckland Pride Festival. In a particularly notable incident last month, about 30 people were barricaded into a room in Te Atatū’s library after members of Man Up, following instructions from Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki to “storm the library,” interrupted a drag king’s storytime for children. This incident drew widespread condemnation, with the police stating it “crossed a line” and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon commenting, “We respect people’s right to free speech, we respect people’s rights to peaceful protest, [but] they went too far.”
Preparation for potential disruptions was part of the planning for Wellington’s Pride parade. Event manager Craig Watson had briefed the community on how to respond peacefully to any protests. “The appropriate way for people to respond to any kind of protest that happens here is to keep peaceful and remain calm. Their advice to us is to sing a waiata or to continue with our celebrations, and to really ignore their protest,” Watson explained. He encouraged everyone to enjoy the day, reinforcing Wellington’s reputation as a city that supports and loves its queer community. “Wellington is a place that loves the queer community, that really supports the queer community and we invite everyone to come down and have fun, and just really enjoy the day. Remain peaceful and keep that celebration going for the whole Pride,” he added.
In the aftermath, organizations like Rainbow Youth and InsideOUT issued statements condemning the actions of hate groups. “There is no place for hate and violence in Aotearoa,” they declared, standing firm in their support for the community’s right to celebrate without fear or intimidation.
The resilience shown by the Wellington community during the Pride parade is a testament to the city’s values of inclusivity and acceptance. According to a recent survey by the Human Rights Commission, 85% of Wellington residents believe in the importance of celebrating diversity through public events like Pride parades, which not only foster community spirit but also serve as a stand against discrimination. This statistic underscores the significance of events like the Pride parade in reinforcing societal values of acceptance and love.
The incident at the parade, while disruptive, ultimately highlighted the strength and unity of Wellington’s rainbow community. It showcased how collective action and a commitment to peace can overshadow attempts to sow division. The parade’s continuation, with its message of love and acceptance, was a powerful rebuttal to the protesters’ message of hate. It also served as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by the queer community, yet also of their unwavering support from the broader Wellington populace.
As the parade concluded at the rainbow crossing, a symbol of hope and acceptance, the message was clear: Wellington stands with its diverse communities, celebrating them not just during Pride month but every day. The city’s response to the Man Up protesters was not just about maintaining order; it was about affirming that Wellington is a place where everyone belongs, where diversity is celebrated, and where hate has no home.
Note: This article was crafted to provide a detailed account of the events at the Wellington Pride parade, focusing on community unity and resilience. For more local stories and updates, stay connected with One Network Wellington Live.