Rainbow Revelry: Naomi Campbell and Vanessa Williams Shine at London Pride
LONDON PRIDE 2023: CELEBRITIES GATHER TO SHOW SUPPORT, BUT PROTESTERS CAUSE CHAOS
The streets of London were painted rainbow bright on Saturday as celebrities and thousands of revelers came together to celebrate this year's London Pride. The event, which is one of the largest in the world, was headlined by US singer Chaka Khan, who brought her iconic voice to the crowd.
Among the A-list attendees were supermodel Naomi Campbell and actress Vanessa Williams, who both showed their support for the LGBTQ+ community in their own unique way. Naomi, 55, stunned onlookers with a sleeveless fitted bodice style mini dress that was the epitome of glamour. She paired the look with chunky shades and clutched a pride flag, exuding confidence and sass.
Vanessa, 62, brought her signature sparkle to the event in a multi-coloured sequined jacket that shimmered under the bright lights of Piccadilly Circus. The Desperate Housewives star has been calling London home for the past year as she takes on the iconic role of Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada Musical at the Dominion Theatre.
Both Naomi and Vanessa were spotted alongside Mayor Of London Sadiq Khan, who was beaming with pride as he watched the parade make its way through the streets. They walked behind a sign that carried the inspiring slogan: 'Volunqueer, be the change'. The message resonated deeply with the crowd, who were out in full force to celebrate their identities and show support for one another.
The parade's route took attendees from Hyde Park Corner down Green Park and into Piccadilly Circus before ending at Westminster. Along the way, they caught glimpses of other celebrities, including singer Paloma Faith, who was seen strutting her stuff with her adorable dog by her side. The Only Love Can Hurt Like This hitmaker donned a rainbow-coloured skirt with a white, printed t-shirt and looked like she was having the time of her life.
But amidst all the glamour and excitement, there were those who used the event to protest. Pro-Palestine activists disrupted the parade, throwing paint on a float and causing a stir among attendees. The group, known as Youth Demand, targeted CISCO's truck, accusing the US-based company of 'genocide' and saying they have 'no place' at the event.
This move comes just hours after Palestine Action was banned and designated as a terrorist organisation by the government. Last night, a judge threw out co-founder Huda Ammori's legal challenge to stop the proscription under the Terrorism Act 2000.
As the protesters were removed from the scene, five people were arrested, including four members of Youth Demand who glued themselves to CISCO's float outside The Ritz. A fifth member was arrested in the crowd as police worked to restore order to the parade.
Meanwhile, in Parliament Square, around 20 people sat in front of the Gandhi statue expressing their support for Palestine Action just hours after the ban came into effect. They held up signs and showed their solidarity with the group, which has been a thorn in the side of the government for some time.
The Met Police spokesperson confirmed that five arrests were made in connection with the disruptions, saying: 'Met officers have arrested five people after Youth Demand protesters disrupted the Pride event in central London. At around 12:30hrs four members of the group threw red paint over a truck involved in the parade and glued themselves to the vehicle outside The Ritz. They were removed by specialist officers and arrested. A fifth member of the group was arrested in the crowd.'
The parade has since resumed, but the policing operation remains in place as authorities work to keep attendees safe and ensure that the event is carried out without further disruptions.
Despite the chaos caused by the protesters, London Pride 2023 proved to be an unforgettable celebration of love, acceptance, and inclusivity. The turnout was massive, with thousands coming together to show their support for the LGBTQ+ community. As one attendee summed it up: 'This is what love looks like – vibrant, colourful, and unapologetic.'
