Petition: Victoria Police must cease participating in the Midsumma Carnival and Pride March

CC: Jacinta Allan MP, Harriet Shing MLC, Anthony Carbines MP, and Ro Allen 

Pride should be safe and welcoming for all of us. Yet, police participation in Midsumma Carnival and Pride March excludes many Queer people, especially those who have been abused, assaulted, harassed, profiled and otherwise mistreated by Victoria Police.

According to ABS data, half of gay, lesbian and bisexual people do not trust the police. Local research confirms that 4 in 5 LGBTIQ+ Victorians distrust Victoria Police, while 3 in 4 do not want them to march in uniform. This is unsurprising since police violence against LGBTIQ+ people is an ongoing issue.

When Nazis marched on Parliament in March 2023, Victoria Police facilitated the public display of anti-trans hate speech and assaulted LGBTIQ+ groups. Legal observers found that Victoria Police showed a ‘clear pattern of biased and discriminatory policing’ against Queer activists and their allies.

Just this month, Victoria Police attacked anti-genocide demonstrators (including local Queer activists) at Webb Dock in the days immediately before and after Midsumma Carnival. Across several altercations, Victoria Police:

  • Dragged a person out of their wheelchair and threw them to the ground
  • Unlawfully used pepper spray against peaceful protestors 
  • Attacked medics and refused access to medical attention
  • Used force (including pepper spray) against legal observers
Police do not keep us safe; instead, they endanger the most vulnerable members of our communities. We reject Victoria Police’s attempts to exploit Queer people as a means of distracting from their illegal activities and violent behaviour.

We encourage all Queer individuals to participate in Pride but Victoria Police disrespects all of us by invading our spaces and excluding those who need our solidarity and support the most.

We, the undersigned, demand that Victoria Police cease participating as an organisation in the Midsumma Carnival and Pride March. We call on the Victorian Government to:

  1. Direct Victoria Police to cease participating in Pride events, including but not limited to Midsumma Carnival and Pride
  2. Facilitate the transfer of the Pride March from Midsumma to an appropriate LGBTIQ+ activist, advocacy, or community-controlled organisation or group
  3. Correctly fund said organisation or group so it can deliver an annual Pride March that includes all LGBTIQ+ people
  4. Adequately fund Midsumma so it can continue its artistic and cultural mission without continuing police involvement

Nobody is free until we are all free.

No Police at Pride.

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FAQ

Why do you need my full name?
A petition is a public document we can use to create momentum and build pressure on authorities. Signatories must be verifiable, at least in principle, for it to be taken seriously. For this reason, we cannot accept initials, nicknames or pseudonyms (chosen names are fine). It is okay if you do not wish to provide your name; you are not obligated to sign on.

How will you use my information?
We will publish our petition on our website and submit it to relevant officials, such as the CEO of Midsumma, the Victorian Premier, and the Equality and Police Ministers. Only your name will appear publicly, we use all other identifiable information for internal purposes only (i.e. removing duplicates and spam responses).

Can I sign if I'm straight?
Yes! While we are primarily seeking responses from LGBTIQ+ people, we recognise our straight friends, family, co-workers, neighbours, and supporters and welcome their signatures. Please be sure to indicate your sexuality as 'straight' on the second question.

Can I sign if I live outside of (so-called) Victoria?
Also yes! While we are primarily seeking responses from people living in so-called Victoria, we recognise that many people have a connection to the place, whether they grew up here, lived here in the past or have family and friends here.

Where can I learn more about the campaign?
You can read about us on our website. We've previously organised a petition, open letter and community forum. You can read media coverage about us here and subscribe to updates here.

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