A Pride march in Chicago changed its online posters and flyers after backlash on social media.
The Chicago Dyke March, a parade set to take place the afternoon of June 26, posted an Instagram photo Saturday of its promotional material that depicted a woman standing atop a fiery police car while holding burning American and Israeli flags, according to the Post Millennial.
Chicago Dyke March promotes Pride event with burning American and Israeli flags, calls for abolition of police and ICE.https://t.co/QWvoNLGGCT
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) June 21, 2021
Another flyer displayed a person holding up an AK-47 with the text “queers for palestine” and “zionism is queerphobic.”
MAN KILLED AND WOMAN HOSPITALIZED IN CHICAGO SHOOTING FOLLOWING PUERTO RICAN DAY PARADE: POLICE
The “Chicago Dyke March”, via their “queers for palestine” campaign would like you to believe that “zionism is queerphobic”. I am currently in Israel where pride flags are prominent, marches, parades and pride events are taking place non-stop.
No, zionism is not queerphobic. pic.twitter.com/7UmP2dII7A— Michael Dickson (@michaeldickson) June 21, 2021
Users on Twitter rebuked the march and its organizers for the material.
Stopantisemitism.org listed countries that put gay people to death, criticizing the march for “vilifying” America and Israel.
12 countries where being gay is legally punishable by death:
?? Yemen
?? Iran
?? Brunei
?? Nigeria
?? Qatar
?? Saudi Arabia
?? Afghanistan
?? Somalia
?? Sudan
?? UAE
?? Pakistan
?? MauritaniaMeanwhile Chicago Dyke March vilifies:
?? Israel
?? USAInsanity at its finest https://t.co/gWkd6aAjGN pic.twitter.com/IWtpOWZAgt
— StopAntisemitism.org (@StopAntisemites) June 21, 2021
However, by Monday, the lead promotional material was changed to display the same woman still atop a burning car, but without “Chicago Police” written on the car or “ACAB” (All Cops Are Bastards) written on her shorts. The American and Israeli flags were changed to white flags.
The march’s goals are to abolish the Chicago Police Department, “the Isra*li occupying forces,” and ICE, according to the march’s Facebook event.
The event’s description listed no LGBT-specific efforts.
“Please screen shot this and share to prevent any attempts by Z10N1ST and FB/Instagram to censor our account. We will see you there regardless of if our account or this event is still active,” the event’s description said.
Groups sometimes alter the spellings or put asterisks in words they deem offensive to avoid content moderators on social media.
In 2017, the march expelled attendees for carrying rainbow Star of David flags. In 2019, the Washington, D.C., Dyke March discouraged the carrying of “nationalist symbols,” including American and Israeli flags.
Meanwhile, in Israel, Foreign Minister Yair Lapid instructed the Foreign Ministry to display a pride flag along with the Israeli flag on Monday.
This morning I instructed that the Pride flag be raised for the first time ever at the Foreign Ministry to mark Pride Month. The MFA & its employees bring a message of tolerance, unity & freedom. pic.twitter.com/9o0f5yuUfc
— יאיר לפיד – Yair Lapid? (@yairlapid) June 21, 2021
In 2019, the Palestinian Authority banned activities by LGBT groups in the West Bank. Hamas punishes Gazans who participate in same-sex relationships by sentencing them to a maximum of 10 years in prison.
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The organizers of the march did not respond to requests for comment from the Washington Examiner.
