By Canadian Press

Hong Kong activists barred from Pride march after alleged pro-communist threats

Aug 27, 2019 | 1:55 PM

MONTREAL — Activists supporting the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong say they were disinvited from marching in Montreal’s Pride parade this month after supporters of China’s communist government threatened to derail the event over the group’s presence.

Henry Lam says he and husband Guy Ho wanted to march in the Aug. 18 event with their allies to express their support for fellow same-sex couples fighting for freedom and marriage equality in Hong Kong.

But Lam says the authorization for their group, Action Free Hong Kong Montreal, was yanked a day before the event after police reportedly informed organizers of a threat to sabotage the parade by protesters opposed to the Hong Kong pro-democracy movement.

Pride Montreal vice-president Jean-Sebastien Boudreault confirmed organizers revoked the group’s permission to participate after receiving at least 10 threats from people opposed to the Hong Kong group’s presence.

He says the decision was made for security reasons and to ensure the event could take place without being derailed by geopolitical concerns unrelated to LGBTQ rights.

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Lam says the incident has left him saddened and made him worry for his security at future events.

The Canadian Press