Oldham Pride banners ripped down outside church in ‘deliberate act’

Father David Austin, who is also the Chair of Oldham Pride, told The Oldham Times that a banner had been ripped off the railings two weeks ago.

This was then followed by another banner being ripped down on Sunday, July 24, ahead of the church’s Pride service.

David said: “The first banner was ripped off and we couldn’t find it anywhere – it wasn’t in the church grounds or anywhere else, it’s disappeared.

Father David holding the banner now – with rips apparent in the corner and at the bottom where grommet holes once were

“After the Pride service on Sunday, a few of the clergy were leaving the service and the Area Dean noticed the second banner had been ripped off and thrown into the bushes, so I managed to retrieve it.

“So both banners had been removed and ripped off – it wasn’t the wind, they must have used force to do it.

“I was disappointed and frustrated because people have invested money in those banners.

“I don’t think it was young people who are drunk and just thought they’d make some mischief and tear one banner down – it was a deliberate act, that now both banners have been removed on two different occasions.

“We will persist in it, and we will continue to be an inclusive church, sending out a positive message to all members of the community, including the LGBTQI community.”

Father David says the church will be approaching the Christians at Pride national committee in the hope they will be able to supply new banners for next year’s Pride and told The Oldham Times that he has reported the incidents to the police.