Huge fight during NYC Pride celebrations. (Photo Credit: Representational/UnSplash)
A massive brawl erupted at Washington Square Park in New York City during Pride celebrations on Sunday. Videos shared by journalist Oliya Scootercaster on X showed a group of men and women throwing punches and violently beating each other in the park. According to reports, New York police attempted to shut the park down, but attendees pushed through the barricades to get back in, causing further chaos. Arrests are reportedly being made, though the circumstances leading to the brawl remain unclear.
Earlier in the day, at least 10 people were arrested after a group of pro-Palestine protesters blocked the annual Pride Parade in NYC and splashed ‘fake blood’ at attendees. Seven of them were reportedly charged with disorderly conduct. Videos of protesters being handcuffed by police surfaced on social media.
This is not the first time pro-Palestinian activists have disrupted a Pride parade. Earlier in the month, parades in Boston, Denver, and Philadelphia were also disrupted.
“It is certainly a more active presence this year in terms of protest at Pride events,” Sandra Pérez, the executive director of NYC Pride told NBC News. “But we were born out of a protest”
Meanwhile, Sunday’s New York City Pride March drew massive crowds from across the country, with many attendees reflecting on politics and the future of LGBTQ rights.
Andy Shehigian of New Jersey added, “It’s very stressful. Like, people don’t know whether we’re going to have rights next year or not.”
