The police are regular participants in Sydney’s annual pride parade, but this year the organizer will not have them after a policeman recently charged with killing a gay couple in what appears to be a jealous killing. Photo: Mark Baker / AP / NTB
The organizer of Sydney’s annual pride parade is asking police not to take part this year after a gay couple were believed to have been killed by a police officer last week.
Reporting from Sydney on Tuesday 27 February at 04:06
Police are still searching for the bodies of the couple in their 20s, who are said to have been shot dead in their Sydney home a week ago on Monday. A policeman, who was previously with one of the victims, was charged with double murder on Friday.
The search for the bodies of the two is in full swing, and the police have searched several places, so far without success, ABC writes.
The organizer behind the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras pride parade says the murders have hit queer people across Australia, who have planned to take part in the parade on Saturday.
– The board feels that our groups, which are already hard hit, may experience it as a further burden if the police in New South Wales participate in this year’s parade. We have therefore decided to ask the police not to participate. This has not been an easy decision, especially considering that many of the police officers who usually participate are also part of the queer environment and are also affected by this tragedy, the board says in a statement on Monday.
POPULAR FEATURE LAST YEAR: New South Wales police turned out in droves for the Pride parade in Sydney last year. Photo: Rick Rycroft / AP / NTB
The 28-year-old accused of murder has also previously participated in the parade.
VG reported from the parade last year, when the police participated and many wanted selfies with the officers in uniform.
Police Chief Karen Webb, who herself has participated since 2006, says she will meet the organizer and ask them to change their mind.
– This case is not a hate crime against homosexuals, but violence in close relationships. I am disappointed with the pride board’s stance on this issue, says Webb to the TV channel Nine Network.
– Now, more than ever, we must stand together. We talk about inclusion, we talk about diversity. Then I think it sends the wrong message that part of that community should be excluded, says the police chief.
Police told the media on Monday they believe the suspected policeman transported the bodies in a white van to a rural area more than seven hours south of Sydney.
The police found nothing of interest when they thoroughly searched a property here. On Tuesday, however, the police were back in the area to carry out further searches.
2024-02-27 02:22:55
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