Ten years of protest
Irish Lesbian and Gay Organization demands inclusion
By Martha Grevatt
New York
For 10 years in a row, the Irish Lesbian and Gay
Organization has been demanding the right to march in the St.
Patrick's Day parade in New York. This year, hundreds
picketed before and during the parade, and 69 people braved
arrest for occupying Fifth Avenue along the route.
Despite snow and bitter cold, the demonstration went on
for hours. Activists chanted, "We're Irish, we're queer,
we'll be here every year," and, "We march in Dublin, we march
in Cork, why can't gays march in New York?"
The latter chant referred to the fact that lesbians and
gays are welcome to march openly on St. Patrick's Day in the
Republic of Ireland.
In fact, over 70 people flew over from Dublin, Cork, and
other parts of Ireland to join ILGO's protest. Some of them
were among those arrested.
Supporters also drove from Boston, Cleveland and other
cities to take part.
After the official parade began, demonstrators booed
non-stop--targeting senate candidate Mayor Rudolph Giuliani,
the military contingents and the police.
Protesters chanted, "NYPD, just like the RUC." They were
comparing the New York Police Department's notorious racist
brutality and its treatment of the St. Patrick's day
demonstration with the repressive tactics of the Royal Ulster
Constabulary in Northern Ireland.
Booing was just as loud for Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Giuliani's rival in the New York Senate race had refused
ILGO's request that she cancel her participation in the march
to protest the exclusion of Irish gays and lesbians by the
march sponsors, the Ancient Order of Hibernians.
Of the 70 protesters who were arrested, 20 were held
overnight. They included 1969 Stonewall Rebellion veteran
Sylvia Rivera, who was not released until 4 p.m. the next
day.
The police didn't succeed in intimidating the
demonstrators, however. ILGO vows to return next year--and
every year--until it wins the right to march.
This article is copyright under a Creative
Commons License.
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