The annual Pride parade in Ottawa was canceled on Sunday after a local pro-Palestinian group blocked the route and demanded negotiations with the event's organizers. The group, Queers for Palestine — Ottawa (Q4P), stated they halted the parade "with the permission" of the grand marshal. This announcement came just as the parade was set to begin.

Protesters gathered on Wellington Street near O’Connor, dancing and waving Palestinian flags. Many held signs with messages such as "no pride in genocide." A large banner displayed the phrases "all of us or none of us" and "Stonewall was an intifada." Chants included slogans like "free, free Palestine" and "from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free."

Masha Davidovic, a member of Q4P, emphasized the group's determination, stating, "We will not leave until our elected officials and Capital Pride come down and meet our demands." The protesters called for a boycott, divestment, and sanctions against Israel, as well as a commitment to an ongoing cultural and academic boycott.

The disruption followed criticism of Capital Pride for quietly removing its statement of solidarity with Palestinians earlier this year. The protest highlighted tensions within the LGBTQ+ community regarding the intersection of social justice issues and Pride celebrations.