The theme of this year’s festival, which concludes on Saturday with the annual parade, has been ‘Existence is Resistance’.
Pride organisers say their main concern is the location where counter-protestors will be “permitted to gather”.
According to the Facebook page of United Christian Witness — now renamed United Gospel Witness — the group also attended Causeway Pride in July.
Posting on the page about the Pride event held in Belfast, also in July, the group said: “Another year and another Pride. But for how much longer?
“The theme of Belfast Pride this year was ‘no going back’. Is this because the Pride political movement feels the tide is turning against their woke agenda?
“It seemed to be a subdued parade this year [which] didn’t seem to last as long as other years. Praise God for this.”
The group preaches through loudspeakers and displays signs and flags bearing religious messages.
One video on the group’s social media page shows a speaker in London criticising “gay pride” and the “abomination of Islam trying to take over the land of the United Kingdom with their false religion”.
United Christian Witness has also posted videos of themselves preaching during Derry’s Halloween festival.
Foyle Pride said it has been informed by the Parades Commission that the group, which they describe as “opposed to LGBTQIA+ identities and equality”, has been “granted permission to protest”.
We are angered and disappointed by the Parades Commission’s decision and the unnecessary risk it creates for our community, especially for our young people. However, we want to be clear: we will not be dragged down to the same levels of hate.
The protest will take place at the junction of Foyle Street and Shipquay Street during and after the Pride event.
“The decision was made despite strong objections and counter proposals from our committee,” the statement, posted on social media, added.
“We had proposed that the group be permitted to protest at the Diamond — a location that would have respected their right to protest while ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our community.
“We are particularly concerned about the site granted, as it is directly beside the area we had planned for a family fun day.
“We feel a deep responsibility to safeguard LGBTQIA+ families and children and, as such, we have taken the decision to move the family fun area into a section of Guildhall Square.
“We are angered and disappointed by the Parades Commission’s decision and the unnecessary risk it creates for our community, especially for our young people. However, we want to be clear: we will not be dragged down to the same levels of hate.
“Instead, we will hold our heads high and stand together in dignity, strength and pride.”
Organisers urge attendees on Saturday to avoid engaging with the counter-protestors.
“The most powerful response we can give is to ignore them, celebrate openly and show that we can have a good time and continue to be ourselves in spite of them,” they continued.
“Our community will remain strong and proud in the face of those who would deny our right to exist and to thrive. This is why Pride matters. Our existence is resistance.”
The annual Foyle Pride parade with the rainbow flag on display at Shipquay Street (Picture: Martin McKeown)
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The Parades Commission said it considered all of the information available to it, including representations from the organiser of the protest and of the public procession, as well as information provided by the PSNI.
“On the basis of this consideration, and in light of the applicable statutory and policy framework, the Commission decided not to impose any conditions on the protest as notified,” it added.
“The Commission notes the statement of the organiser of Foyle Pride and would highlight that, in accordance with the Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Act 1998, it does not ‘grant permission’ for public processions or associated protests to take place.
“In accordance with the provisions of the Act, the Commission considers notifications of intention to organise such events and may, in prescribed circumstances, impose conditions on them.
“It is also important to note that, in accordance with the 1998 Act, the Commission’s jurisdiction extends only to public processions and associated protests.
“The Commission has no jurisdiction in relation to events which may take place once a public procession has ended. For example, the family fun day planned by Foyle Pride festival to take place tomorrow after the Foyle Pride parade.”
United Christian Witness/United Gospel Witness was contacted for comment.