Anti-cop protesters get the Sydney Mardi Gras parade off to a heated start as they march and chant ‘stop police attacks’ – after officers were allowed to join the event

A large crowd of demonstrators have marched through Sydney’s Hyde Park ahead of Saturday’s Mardi Gras parade to protest the involvement of NSW Police.

As they marched through the park to the staging area for Saturday’s parade, the crowd chanted “stop police attacks on gays, women and blacks.”

Organizers Pride in Protest also caused chaos in Darlinghurst, the heart of the city’s LGBTQI+ community, on Friday evening when around 300 people arrived for the same reason.

Police were not formally invited to march in the parade this year following the arrest of an on-duty police officer charged with the alleged murders of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies.

Mr Davies was honored with a special float by Qantas, his former employer.

However, there will be officers on duty at the parade, which will further anger the group.

Pride in Protest organizers called those marching with the group to City Hall for a ‘speak out’ event on Saturday from 2pm, with the march to the staging area in Hyde Park taking place just after 4pm.

Sharing a photo of the police contingent assigned to the pre-parade protest on Instagram, organizers commented: “This might as well be their float.”

In the staging area, a protester waved a large sign depicting a blood-spattered handgun flanked by the rainbow flag.

Police will allege in court that Beau Lamarre-Condon, who worked with the NSW Police Youth Command, used his service weapon to kill the pair, who had recently started dating.

After a meeting with Police Chief Karen Webb, officers were allowed to march again, but not in uniform, and were not allowed to carry weapons.

Thousands gather before the march

With more than 12,000 people expected to walk the parade route on Saturday evening, Hyde Park was full of sequins, bright colors and animal masks

Groups were seen practicing their moves and updating their outfits ahead of the 7.30pm kick-off.

Where can you watch the Mardi Gras Parade in Sydney?W

Viewing from the street is free, but crowds are expected to line the parade route and throughout the city as celebrations take place throughout the business district.

Anyone wanting to avoid the crowds can purchase tickets for the main viewing areas, some of which are still available on Saturday afternoons.

Those watching at home can tune in on ABC or iView from 7:30 PM.

The broadcast will be hosted by Australia’s most iconic drag star Courtney Act, non-binary musician G-Flip, actor Remy Hii and ABCQueer presenter Mon Schafter.

Who will march?

This year’s Mardi Gras promises to be big, with more than 12,000 protesters lined up along the route.

The parade starts with a roar from Dykes on Bikes, followed by Boys on Bikes and Melbourne Motorcycle Tourers.

Nearly 200 floats are expected to line the parade route this year, representing groups within the LGBTQI+ community, government and community organizations and major corporations.

First Nations will kick off the floats, followed by the original marchers, the 78ers. Alex Greenwich, NSW’s only openly gay MP, will join Clover Moore early on on a float dubbed ‘fearless representatives’. Chris Minns will join the Rainbow Labor NSW float, marking the first time a NSW Premier has marched in the parade.

A contingent of NSW Police will march, albeit not in uniform, after they were not invited to the parade following the alleged murders of Luke Davies and Jesse Baird by an on-duty police officer.

When the NSW Police were not invited, the Australian Federal Police also withdrew from the parade and did not reverse their decision following the reinstatement of the NSW Police.

Qantas will pay a special tribute to its former employee, Mr Davies, during his time on the parade route, after etching his name onto the float, and group members are expected to wear black armbands in tribute.

Parade stops for a moment of silence

Organizers of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade have revealed they will halt the parade to pay tribute to Mr Baird and Mr Davies, amid somber reflections on the couple’s lives days ahead of the event.

Mr Baird, 26, and his friend Mr Davies, 29, were allegedly murdered at Baird’s share house in Paddington at about 9.30am on February 19.

Senior Constable Beau Lamarre-Condon is accused of using his police-issued pistol to shoot them before dumping the bodies on a rural property.

During tonight’s parade, which starts at 6 p.m., a moment of silence will be observed for the young couple.

“We will take a moment to honor and remember Jesse Baird and Luke Davies, whose lives were tragically taken from us,” Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras said in a statement on Saturday.

“This moment of remembrance serves as a powerful reminder of the ties that unite us and the memories of those we hold dear.

‘As the Dykes on Bikes approach Taylor Square for their second pass – the heart of our parade – they will pause for a moment.

‘This is a signal for all present to observe a moment of silence.’

Mr Davies will also be honored by his former employer, Qantas, on his float during the parade.

Hundreds of people gathered at Green Park in Darlinghurst on Friday evening, an evening that would usually mark the start of a weekend of parties and celebrations.

Instead, friends, family and members of the LGBTQIA+ community gathered at dusk to pay tribute to the lives of the young couple whose lives were so tragically cut short.