Pro-Palestinian activists disrupt Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras with protest

Pro-Palestinian activists have disrupted the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade with police removing a number of protesters.

Police removed members of Queer Solidarity with Palestinian Resistance who appeared to slip into the parade along Oxford Street in front of the New South Wales premier, Chris Minns.

The protesters ran from police holding lit flares, with at least two thrown to the ground, and were then moved away from the parade route by police while Minns’ group of Rainbow Labor was held at a distance from the commotion.

Soon after, the Queer Arab Alliance float drew a cheer, while Palestinian flags and “ceasefire now” signs were waved at a number of the almost 200 floats.

As with every Mardi Gras parade, Saturday’s began with the roar of motorbike engines as the Dykes on Bikes rumbled along Oxford Street.

This year, though, the 250 motorbike riders broke with tradition, at Taylor Square pausing for a moment of silence in honour of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies, who were allegedly murdered by serving police officer Beau Lamarre in Paddington less than two weeks ago.

“We need to bear in mind that Mardi Gras has long been a celebration but also a commemoration in our community,” the Dykes on Bikes outgoing president, Emily Saunders, told Guardian Australia. “This is a resilient community that’s had to work through a lot to get to where they are today.”

With heavy police guard, a small, quiet group of police officers marched in matching rainbow T-shirts, drawing both boos and applause from onlookers.

The Qantas float carried Davies’ name in honour of the 29-year-old flight attendant as his colleagues were cheered along the route in rainbow kangaroo shirts.

Marchers in the Sydney Swans float paid tribute to Baird, wearing black armbands in memory of the 26-year-old AFL umpire.

A vigil for the pair at Green Park in Sydney’s east was held on Friday night.

A slideshow of images and videos played at the vigil and mourners formed a line to lay flowers, light candles and sign condolence books, many staying well after the sun went down.

The federal Sydney MP and environment minister, Tanya Plibersek, NSW police minister, Yasmin Catley, independent MP Alex Greenwich, Sydney lord mayor, Clover Moore, and Network Ten presenter Narelda Jacobs were among those who attended.