Two years after stabbing, 20,000 participate in J’lem pride march

Police arrest man carrying a knife, two years after 16-year-old Shira Banki was stabbed to death at the Jerusalem pride march.

Over 20,000 take part in the annual Jerusalem pride parade, August 3, 2017. (Activestills.org)
Over 20,000 take part in the annual Jerusalem pride parade, August 3, 2017. (Activestills.org)

Over 20,000 people took part in the annual Jerusalem pride march on Thursday afternoon, two years after 16-year-old Shira Banki was murdered at the march by a religious extremist.

Hundreds of police officers were on hand, forcing every participant to undergo inspection before entering Liberty Bell Park, where the march to was set to begin. Police arrested 22 people at the march, one of whom was carrying a knife. According to Haaretz, police summoned right-wing activists classified as “under watch” for clarification and warning talks prior to the march.

A 33-year-old man was banned from Jerusalem on Thursday afternoon after police said he had published a Facebook post he had made that potentially threatened the march’s security.

Meanwhile, radical right-wingers, led by Kahanist activist Benzi Gopstein held a protest against the parade across from the park.

Participants in Jerusalem's annual pride march, August 3, 2017. (Activestills.org)
Participants in Jerusalem’s annual pride march, August 3, 2017. (Activestills.org)

 

Thousands lay flowers at the place Shira Banki was murdered at the Jerusalem pride parade two years ago, August 3, 2017. (Activestills.org)
Thousands lay flowers at the place Shira Banki was murdered at the Jerusalem pride parade two years ago, August 3, 2017. (Activestills.org)

 

A participant in the Jerusalem pride parade holds up a sign in solidarity with LGBTQ Palestinians, Jerusalem, August 3, 2017. (Activestills.org)
A participant in the Jerusalem pride parade holds up a sign in solidarity with LGBTQ Palestinians, Jerusalem, August 3, 2017. (Activestills.org)

 

A man with a sign reading 'Shame on all those who are proud' looks on at the annual Jerusalem pride march, August 3, 2017. (Activestills.org)
A man with a sign reading ‘Shame on all those who are proud’ looks on at the annual Jerusalem pride march, August 3, 2017. (Activestills.org)

 

Teenagers belonging to an Israeli youth movement take part in the Jerusalem pride parade, August 3, 2017. (Activestills.org)
Teenagers belonging to an Israeli youth movement take part in the Jerusalem pride parade, August 3, 2017. (Activestills.org)

 

Activists at the Jerusalem pride parade carry signs commemorating DanVeg, an Israeli transgender activist who committed suicide last year, August 3, 2017. (Activestills.org)
Activists at the Jerusalem pride parade carry signs commemorating DanVeg, an Israeli transgender activist who committed suicide last year, August 3, 2017. (Activestills.org)