A float from the St. Mary's First Nation leads the 11th annual Fredericton Pride parade in Fredericton, N.B., on July 23, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Stephen MacGillivray

FREDERICTON - Organizers of the annual Pride festival in Fredericton say they've cancelled this year's edition because of the intense harassment the group's board members have recently been subjected to.

In a social media post late Thursday night, Fierté Fredericton Pride said the decision "has not been made lightly" and that organizers considered alternatives.

The group didn't give details about its reasons for cancelling the event, but earlier in July had condemned the "backlash" it received for its vocal support of Palestinians in the war with Israel, and its decision to name an activist organization called Fredericton Palestine Solidarity as grand marshal in the city's Pride parade.

"The backlash we have received for … our solidarity against genocide has been homophobic, racist, and religiously-intolerant," the group said on social media July 4. "Characterizing Palestinians as terrorists is racist and irresponsible. That kind of rhetoric puts Palestinian lives in danger, not just in Gaza, but around the globe."

On Thursday night, Fierté Fredericton Pride said its board members have received "harassment … including individuals posing as board members on social media and implicating our workplaces, our well-being and livelihoods have been negatively impacted."

"In order to ensure our own safety, that of our performers, and our volunteers, Fierté Fredericton Pride has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2024 festival."

The organization declined interviews.

The volunteer-run group said any outstanding invoices will be paid and the organization will be left "in good order."

The City of Fredericton said on social media it was still moving ahead Friday afternoon with a Pride flag-raising ceremony outside city hall. "The City of Fredericton is committed to being an inclusive city where everyone feels valued, respected, safe, included, and where all members have equitable access to opportunities, resources, and services," it said.

Fierté Fredericton Pride was scheduled to run from July 12 to 24, with Fredericton Palestine Solidarity leading the event's pride parade on July 21.

In the July 4 post on social media, the organization said it has "always" welcomed Jewish people to participate in the festival and parade, adding that claims that the festival's solidarity with Palestine is antisemitic are false and grossly misrepresent the organization.

"It should not be considered radical for a Pride organization to be anti-genocide, antiwar, or anti-apartheid. It should not be controversial for the queer community to show solidarity with a people who are being actively and indiscriminately exterminated."

Sgoolai Israel Synagogue, which had opposed Fredericton Palestine Solidarity as grand marshal in the parade, said in a statement it was "relieved" the group won't have a platform at Pride.

The New Brunswick chapter of advocacy group Independent Jewish Voices said its "understanding of the current situation is that (the festival's cancellation) is unrelated to the decision to appoint Fredericton Palestine Solidarity as grand marshal." But it declined further comment.

In a letter sent to Fredericton city council last week, Independent Jewish Voices gave its support for the festival's choice of grand marshal.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 12, 2024.

News from © The Canadian Press, 2024