Pride Hamilton files human rights complaint against city and police

Pride Hamilton has filed an application against the city and police with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario.

The complaint stems from the events that took place during a Pride celebration at Gage Park last year.

Violence broke out at last year’s event, when anti-LGBTQ protesters showed up at the park.

It took several minutes for police to respond.

In a statement, Pride Hamilton says it feels police discriminated against the organization “through its failure to properly plan for, protect, and respond to threats to the 2019 Pride celebrations.”

Further, the group says comments made by the Chair of the Hamilton Police Services Board and the mayor defending preparation “served to support and embolden” police conduct.

The complaint was filed following the release of an independent review into police conduct that day, which found police preparation was “inadequate.”

The claim is asking for $600,000 in damages.

That money will be used to support initiatives and programs within the LGBTQ community.