A friend of slain flight attendant Luke Davies has said that he is “appalled” at anti-police protesters at Sydney’s Mardi Gras who he has accused of “hijacking a national tragedy,” by using his name, and that of partner Jesse Baird who also died, to justify their actions.
Dean Bailey also criticised the Mardi Gras organisation saying he was “disgusted” it had initially banned NSW Police for marching in the parade after a serving police officer was arrested for allegedly murdering the couple.
Mr Bailey made the comments to the ABC’s 7.30 program and also published a letter on his own social media.
It was a “knee-jerk reaction to a small vocal group,” Mr Bailey told 7.30.
On Friday, far left activist group Pride in Protest organised a demonstration in the heart of Sydney’s LGBTIQ community of Darlinghurst.
The group stopped traffic on the main thoroughfare of Oxford St, which 24 hours later would be the centrepiece of the Mardi Gras parade route, as well as protesting outside the nearby Surry Hills Police Centre.
In tense scenes, protesters alleged they were assaulted by police. NSW Police said it was an “unauthorised protest,” and while officers did “physically remove” protesters who refused to get off the road there were no reports of any injuries or property damage.
In a statement prior to the demonstration, Pride in Protest demanded, “an end to police violence,” which it said included the alleged “murders of Luke Davies and Jesse Baird”.
“We need justice for Jesse, for Luke,” said spokesman Evan Van Zijl.
Pride in Protest has long sought to see police barred from the parade as well as major companies. It reiterated those demands prior to this year’s Mardi Gras.
Protesters ‘hijacked’ couple’s memory
But at a vigil in Brisbane on the weekend to celebrate the life of Mr Davies sentiment was very different.
Mr Bailey, who posted an emotional reel of images and videos of he and Mr Davies to social media, said he believed the protest group was, “out of step with the majority of the community,” on the issue of banning the police.
“I feel like they’ve almost hijacked a national tragedy just to further a cause they already had.
“We found it a hurtful that they were trying to use Lukey (sic) as a reason.”
On social media, he labelled the protesters as an “extreme group”.
Luke’ would not support decision’
Following the deaths of Mr Davies and Mr Baird, Mardi Gras “disinvited” NSW Police from the parade. In then later semi-backtracked, allowing police to march but not in full uniform.
NSW Police did march in Saturday’s event in blue police polos.
Mr Bailey said he had written to Mardi Gras prior to the weekend’s events telling them he was “disgusted” at the original decision to bar police.
“I know that Lukey would not support the decision that Mardi Gras had initially taken. It’s something Luke wouldn’t have wanted.
“I don’t think one (alleged) bad apple should taint the whole police force.
“To say (banning police) was made in his honour is nothing short of offensive to him and his legacy.”
Mr Bailey added that it was NSW Police who searched for his friend, found his body and were working to solve the case.
Some of the protesters at Friday’s demonstration said they were friends with Jesse Baird.
Police at Mardi Gras.
In a statement, Mardi Gras said that the decision to subsequently allow LGBTI police officers not in uniform to march “allows for (officers) who volunteer their time and service to the community to participate in the event in a considered and respectful way as we navigate this tragedy together”.
Pride in Protest has long campaigned for police to be barred from marching.
It accuses NSW Police of long term homophobia. Mardi Gras itself grew out of a 1978 protest in defiance of the brutality meted out by police to gay people in Sydney.
But opinion in the wider LGBTIQ community has been divided on the issue.
NSW Police has apologised for its past actions against the LGBTIQ community as well as its previous lack of action on gay hate crimes. Many now see the police force’s inclusion in the parade as a sign of improving relations.
Pride in Protest members have secured a number of positions on the Mardi Gras board but not the majority.
News.com.au has contacted Pride in Protest for comment.
Parade stopped by protest
On Saturday’s Mardi Gras parade, pro Palestinian protesters briefly stopped the event.
Several demonstrators with flared could be seen unfurling banners close to the Labor Party float which NSW Premier Chris Minns was marching with.
Mr Minns left the parade shortly afterwards although NCA NewsWire understands this did not mark a change in his original plans.
According to NSW Police, seven men and two women were arrested for entering the parade route as the Premier approached.
Later on Sunday, police confirmed eight people, one man and seven women, had been charged, while another woman, 29, had been released pending further investigations.
The seven women, aged 29, 31, 35, 38, 39, 41 and 42 – were all charged with more than three people use violence to cause fear.
A 25-year-old Concord man was charged with more than three people use violence to cause fear, and possess bright light distress signal etc in public place.
They were all granted conditional bail to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday 28 March 2024.