Stoke Newington School pupils Zara Touil, 17, Isabele Amegbey, 16, Jasmine Strickland-Scott, Amy Derber, 21 and Chaz Layton Hackney Pride on Saturday 4th September

Borough’s first gay right’s march a success

PRIDE was at an all-time high in the borough as hundreds of people came out to march against hate.

Around 1,000 residents from across east London came together for the first annual Hackney Pride March on Saturday September 4.

The event, organised by community group Out East, brought people of all sexualities, genders, races and religions to Mare Street.

The march began outside the Town Hall at 12pm and went all the way to Hackney Road before stopping for speeches inside St Leonard’s Church in Shoreditch about two hours later.

Tots joined their parents in the walk and even the odd pet turned up donned in a rainbow bandana as placard waving supporters made their voice heard.

Thierry Schaffauser, one of the organisers, who lives in London Fields, said: “It was absolutely amazing to get this many people supporting us. I did not expect that number to turn up.

“It was great to send a political message out and show the strength of that message. It was not just about a big party.

“I think that people were very happy that the community came together to do something really special. I’m so proud of Hackney.”