Toronto gay pride struck by controversy over protest against ”Israeli Apartheid”
”Let us be clear, criticism of Israeli government policy is legitimate. However, the atmosphere created by the use of the words ‘Israeli Apartheid’ in the last three years of the Pride festival are not.”
From a press release by the Pride Parade organizers of Toronto, Canada with regards to the exclusion of a group called ”Queers Against Israeli Apartheid.” Pride organizers, according to CBC News, consider the controversial term of creating a ”poisonous atmosphere.” And City officials have reportedly claimed the name violates an anti-discrimination policy, where as some pride participants are complaining that the Pride committee’s decision squelches free speech rights. (CBC.ca)
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