CODEPINK protest puts Pride rules in focus
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A demonstration by CODEPINK during Palm Springs Pride is raising questions about the organization’s exclusion from this year’s parade and the guidelines organizers use to determine who can participate.
CODEPINK, a national grassroots feminist peace and anti-war organization, demonstrated during the November 8 celebration after its application to participate in the parade was denied for the second consecutive year, according to the group.
The organization says its mission of advocating for human rights and marginalized communities aligns with Pride’s message of inclusion. CODEPINK has also held local vigils for victims in Gaza and publicly demonstrated in support of Palestinians.
“We support human rights for all. We think everyone deserves housing, education, dignity, life,” said Jane Dodd, a CODEPINK volunteer in the Coachella Valley.
In a statement to KESQ, Greater Palm Springs Pride President and CEO Ron deHarte said CODEPINK’s proposed parade entry did not meet participation requirements, which call for groups to have a clear message supporting or celebrating LGBTQ+ people.
DeHarte also cited safety concerns raised by some Jewish LGBTQ+ community members and their supporters. He declined an on-camera interview and referred KESQ back to the statement provided in October.
Palm Springs police said CODEPINK was exercising its First Amendment rights during the demonstration and that officers did not observe illegal activity.
“Nothing that they did was against the law. Once again, they were exercising the First Amendment right. That’s absolutely their right as citizens of this country,” said Acting Captain Michael Torres with the Palm Springs Police Department.
Torres said officers did respond to a few complaints about noise and asked demonstrators to respect the space of other attendees. He said most complied and the event continued without major issues.
Rabbi David Lazar, who leads the progressive Jewish congregation Or Hamidbar in Palm Springs, said he did not personally find the demonstration disruptive, though he acknowledged some members of the Jewish community had a different experience.
Lazard said he hopes people can make room for disagreement rather than trying to silence one another.
“It’s not going to solve any problems if we continue to cancel each other out, if we continue to try to shut the mouths of those with whom we don’t agree,” Lazard said.
Days later, CODEPINK participated in the Palm Springs Veterans Day Parade.
Dodd said the group was invited by Veterans for Peace, Post 66, with whom CODEPINK has previously worked on events for Memorial Day and the International Day of Peace.
Dodd said CODEPINK has a longstanding relationship with the local veterans group, which she described as supportive of its peace activism. Dodd also said one CODEPINK member, Janet Weil, was recognized by Veterans for Peace for her longtime peace efforts.
The two parade experiences come amid broader questions about how organizations’ political advocacy and public messaging factor into participation in community events.
Full statement from Greater Palm Springs Pride President and CEO Ron deHarte“Greater Palm Springs Pride remains dedicated to protecting our community, fostering unity, and ensuring our parade remains a safe platform for LGBTQ+ visibility, advocacy, and celebration.
Greater Palm Springs Pride is committed to organizing an inclusive, celebratory space that honors, protects,and advances the rights, history, and safety of our LGBTQ+ community and all our allies.
While our parade guidelines invite participants to express diverse perspectives on culture, politics, and society,all entries must align with the foundational purpose of our event.
Individuals or organizations that support or celebrates the rights, achievements, culture, and aspirations of LGBTQ people is welcome to participate. Entries must communicate a clear message of support or celebration relating to LGBTQ people.
After reviewing the proposed entry from Code Pink, and seeing social media posts about their Greater Palm Springs Pride participation, we determined that the entry did not meet this core requirement. While Code Pink engages in broader political advocacy, parade entries are strictly required to convey an explicit, central message focused on supporting and celebrating the LGBTQ+ community.
Furthermore, Greater Palm Springs Pride has heard the serious concerns voiced by Jewish LGBTQ+ community members and their non-Jewish supporters who have expressed fear for their safety as parade participants and spectators. We take these concerns deeply to heart.
We stand firmly against harassment, intimidation, and anti-Semitism in any form. We acknowledge concerns, and we are committed to taking concrete action working closely with community leaders, safety liaisons, and law enforcement to ensure that our parade remains a safe, welcoming, and secure environment where all people including Jewish members of our community and their friends can celebrate Pride free from harm or threat.
Because Code Pink’s entry did not center on celebrating LGBTQ+ rights and achievements as required by our guidelines, and to uphold our commitment to maintaining a safe space for all community members, the entry could not be accepted for this year’s parade.”
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