Saskatoon police arrested a man on Broadway Avenue after a Pride event was disrupted Wednesday evening.
A Pridewalk painting event – painting the sidewalk the colours of the rainbow and trans flags – was being held when a man confronted the group, according to a video on Instagram of the incident.
The crosswalk is part of Saskatoon Pride week, which kicks off Saturday.
In the video, the man is shown trying to remove a barricade blocking off the event from the street.
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“You guys are getting absolutely stupid,” he shouted several times on the tape while the group attempted to get him to leave before one member could be heard calling police.
A 71-year-old man from Quill Lake, Sask., has been charged with causing a disturbance, according to Saskatoon police. No one was injured in the incident.
In a Facebook post, OUTSaskatoon wrote the man’s “actions were fueled by homophobic and racist comments which attempted to incite violence.”
“Pride began as a protest to fight back against the violence and discrimination we face as a community … there still remains plenty of basic rights and freedoms that we must fight for.”
Mayor Charlie Clark showed his support for the LGBTQ2 community in a Facebook post.
“We’ve been tested as a community lately,” he wrote. “Now is a time to support the 2SLGBTQ+ and all communities, to stand up against homophobia, transphobia and all forms of discrimination.”
The 71-year-old man was released on an appearance notice, according to Saskatoon police, and is expected to appear in court Nov. 24.
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