Under the motto ‘Pride is a demonstration’, tens of thousands of people flocked to the Vienna Ring on Saturday for the 28th Rainbow Parade to stand up for the rights of LGBTIQ people. Around 12:00, the colorful train started moving “in the other direction” against the direction of travel on the ring, and the end is scheduled for 6:00 PM at Rathausplatz. The organizers expected a total of more than 300,000 participants.
The rainbow parade is once again organized by the Homosexuality Initiative (HOSI) Vienna as an “important symbol of the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) people.” This year the demonstration consists of a total of 92 decorated trucks, other vehicles and groups of participants.
The lively bustle comes to an end in the “Vienna Pride Village”, where performances by Conchita Wurst and this year’s Eurovision Song Contest participant Kaleen are on the program.
Numerous politicians on site
There was also a large turnout from politics: Federal party chairman Andreas Babler, National Council President Doris Bures, EU top candidate Andreas Schieder and Viennese municipal councilors Jürgen Czernohorszky and Peter Hacker participated from the SPÖ.
Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler, Health Minister Johannes Rauch, Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler and Justice Minister Alma Zadic came from the Greens. The NEOS were ultimately represented by their party leader Beate Meindl-Reisinger, Vienna’s deputy mayor Christoph Wiederkehr and the EU’s leading candidate Helmut Brandstätter.
“Today we see: Pride brings thousands of people to the streets to stand up and speak out against injustice. “Pride is one of the strongest movements in the world today, where people unite for a good cause and want to make this world a better place,” organizer Katharina Kacerovsky-Strobl, director of Stonewall GmbH, told APA.
Increased security measures
Following a terrorist incident during last year’s event, security measures have been tightened this year, mainly reflected in a more visible police presence. A search warrant was issued for the “Vienna Pride Village” on Rathausplatz. Entry is only allowed to people who have had their clothes and containers searched.
Clasps on the ring for hours
According to mobility information from ÖAMTC, the parade is likely to cause traffic delays due to hours-long closures on the ring road. The club expected delays on the diversion routes – especially on the two-man line. Access to the airport via Franz-Josefs-Kai is also not possible during the closure.
The club therefore advises to avoid large areas via Handelskai or the outer band and tangent. Tram lines 1, 2, 71 and D as well as inner-city bus lines will be operated briefly or diverted.
Source: Krone
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