CAMPAIGNERS challenged Glasgow’s annual Pride event over the weekend over its sponsorship ties to Israel’s violence against Palestinians. 

Hundreds of No Pride in Genocide (NPIG) activists gathered in Kelvingrove Park on Saturday, where the annual Pride march began, forming a “radical bloc” to demand that the event reject companies directly profiting from Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestinian land and the ongoing genocide in Gaza. 

Among the event’s sponsors is US financing giant JP Morgan, which holds $22 million (£16.4m) in shares in Israel’s largest weapons manufacturer, Elbit Systems, as well as $600m (£447m) in Israeli sovereign war bonds. 

Last year, NIPG mobilised a similar bloc within the 2024 Pride march, with their numbers making up nearly half the total procession.
Despite pressure over the past year, the group say that Glasgow’s Pride organisers have refused to engage directly with them.

NPIG accuse organisers of enabling “pinkwashing” — a term used to describe promoting LGBTQ+ inclusivity to deflect from broader human rights abuses.

Earlier this year, the group issued an open letter outlining their demands, with signatories including the Glasgow Trades Union Council, Scotland for Palestine, and the Rainbow Greens of the Scottish Green Party.

Campaigner Isabelle, whose name has been changed for privacy, said: “At bare minimum, we want Glasgow’s Pride to actively engage with the local community when planning events which claim to represent them.

“Their repeated refusal to engage with the campaign and the hostile way that they have responded to criticism from the community is incredibly disappointing.”

Jay, also a pseudonym, said: “[JP Morgan] have no right to be present at a celebration of the queer community, and Glasgow’s Pride has no right to accept their money on behalf of our community.”