MANILA, Philippines — Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray lamented the arrest of 20 activists who staged a rally in Manila in celebration of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) Pride Month.
Is this the new normal? 💔 Earlier today a peaceful #PRIDE rally held in Manila where mask wearing participants practicing social distancing were met by police in riot gear and arrested.
— Catriona Gray (@catrionaelisa) June 26, 2020
“Is this the new normal?” Gray expressed on Twitter Friday.
“Earlier today a peaceful #PRIDE rally held in Manila where mask-wearing participants practicing social distancing were met by police in riot gear and arrested,” the beauty queen added.
Police rounded up around 20 members of Bahaghari, Gabriela, Saglahi, and other allied groups who held the protest at the Mendiola Freedom Park.
Bahaghari spokesperson Rey Valmores-Salinas said that during the rally, the group was calling for equal rights, and were also protesting against the jeepney phaseout and the anti-terror bill.
In another tweet, Gray said that the police gave no response when asked for the reason of the activists’ arrest.
When questioned by the witnesses and media about the reason or violations for arrest, the police gave no response.
— Catriona Gray (@catrionaelisa) June 26, 2020
Gray further questioned the need for the arrest when proper health guidelines had been followed during the rally.
“Why the withholding of rights (witnesses said they were not read their Miranda rights before arrest nor given reason of arrest)? Videos circulating online confirm this,” she said.
We have the right to raise our voice. Pride, since the beginning has been a protest. Now is the time to speak up. #FREEPRIDE20 #PRIDE2020
Photo captured by @pupcocdakom pic.twitter.com/nfYZ7UvyVH
— Catriona Gray (@catrionaelisa) June 26, 2020
Gray then said: “We have the right to raise our voice. Pride, since the beginning, has been a protest. Now is the time to speak up.”
