Two arrested over attack on LGBT group during NY St Patrick’s Parade
Two teenagers have been arrested, after a toilet paper attack on the first LGBT group to march in New York City’s St Patrick’s Day Parade.
In previous years, the parade blocked LGBT groups from marching under their own banner, and faced a major sponsor boycott for doing so.
Though the ban effectively remains in place, this year the parade authorised Out@NBCUniversal – the LGBT group of one of the parade’s biggest sponsors.
However, while making history by marching in the parade on Tuesday, OUT@NBCUniversal were disrupted by two teens, who threw toilet paper over them
Daniel Kaul, 19, and Daniel Dimirco, 19, were arrested on Wednesday in connection with the attack, according to the New York Daily News.
Police said the pair were arrested for “throwing toilet paper… at the Out@NBC marchers” on Fifth Avenue and East 53rd Street.
The pair haven’t been charged with a hate crime in connection with the attack, and face a charge of disorderly conduct.
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio continued his boycott of the event this year – after claiming he will not attend until all are treated equally.
He hailed the “progress” by allowing Out@NBCUniversal to attend, but added: “If someone’s LGBT and they want to celebrate Irish heritage, they should have a right like anyone else.”
The marchers from Out@NBCUniversal did not carry rainbow flags or any other identifiable LGBT symbols, opting for a green banner and green sash.
