| Progressive Conservative leader Joe Clark turned out to be a big draw last Sunday as marshal of the annual Pride Parade in Connaught – and the protesters stayed home.
Pride Week co-chair Keith Purdy says there were at least twice as many people as last year, and he estimates that the number of participants and onlookers reached about 10,000. He attributes the overwhelming attendance to the presence of Clark, who led the parade with Maureen McTeer.
"It was amazing. People applauded, cheered, everything, all around the parade route," he says. "A lot of people just wanted to come out and thank him."
One group that didn’t appear was the Westboro Baptist Church (WBC), a religious group from the U.S. that preaches hatred of gays. In fact, Purdy only saw two picketers among the crowd of supporters.
"I think we scared them off," Purdy says, adding that it’s typical for the WBC to say its going to do something and then fail to show.
He believes that group may have raised the issue to gain media attention, but if that’s the case, parade participants stole the spotlight.
"I just want to thank the community for coming out and supporting us and making sure everything was quiet.... It was a great day for everyone."
Purdy says that once Pride Week is over, the committee will discuss whether the parade and street fair will have to be moved to a larger location next year.
Pride Week continues until Sunday, with the annual Pride Dance taking place Saturday night at Max Bell Centre. Shuttle buses will be running from three locations downtown – Moneypennies, Rooks and Boystown – to the dance about every half hour.
For more information, visit the Web site at www.pridecalgary.com or phone the info line at 262-3410. |
