How to deal with possible hate group presence at Pride

We have been made aware that a transphobic hate group called Spa Sisters will be attending Warwickshire Pride on Saturday to protest and possibly cause disruption to the event. It is the same transphobic hate group that attended last year and were arrested after abusing members of our team. They are aware that they’re banned from Warwickshire Pride but they seem intent on ignoring that ban.

This afternoon we have sought guidance from Warwick District Council, Warwickshire Police, and the security company we’ve hired to ensure we know what our rights are as event organisers and to have a plan in place for dealing with a protest that sadly has high potential to turn into disruption and criminal offences being committed based on their previous behaviour.

Our plans are more robust than ever before. We are briefed and ready for all sorts of incidents that could occur. We are placing everyone’s safety at the heart of it.

Our ask to the community is this:

If something happens during the march, please keep walking and let organisers and the police deal with it. Follow all guidance given to you by our team or the police. It will be for your safety.

If something happens at the festival, please report it to us. You can speak to a volunteer in a hi-vis vest, speak to the security who will be walking around the festival, or go to the backstage tent where there will always be someone who can help.

Our advice is to not engage with these people. It is what they want – attention and confrontation. Please seek help if you need it and let us handle their removal.

We will not tolerate hateful behaviour of any kind. We stand firmly with trans people and our support will never waver.