Halifax Pride parade disrupted by pro-Palestinian protests

Pro-Palestinian protesters disrupted the end of this year's Halifax Pride parade on Saturday afternoon. 

More than 100 organizations and groups participated in the parade that shut down much of downtown Halifax and saw thousands of people line the surrounding streets.

Much of the parade was over when a small group of protesters ran into the middle of the road and forced the procession to a halt. 

"Most of us are queer and we want to reclaim Pride as something that belongs to the people and not the corporations," said Alexina St. Pierre-Farrow, who is a chairperson for the Canadian Federation of Students Nova Scotia and spoke on behalf of the protesters. 

The group wanted to protest the participation of politicians, members of the Canadian Armed Forces and corporations it claims are funding the war in Gaza, St. Pierre-Farrow said. 

"We were hoping to raise awareness and we were hoping to make these companies see that the people, together, have the power not the corporations," she said. 

The rest of the parade dissipated while the group continued to block the road near the Halifax Pride festival grounds. 

Some people in the crowd cheered the protesters but others voiced opposition.

"I said, 'No! Go home. We want to celebrate and you're ruining it,'" said Leah Boutilier, who was at the parade as a spectator. 

She said the protesters confronted her, leading to pushing and shoving.

"It's upsetting," said Katie Coulas, who was watching the parade before the protest started.

The Pride parade in Toronto earlier this month was forced to end prematurely due to pro-Palestinian protesters.