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Graffiti sprayed late at night along a number of shopfronts and marquees on Fitzroy\u2019s Gertrude Street has marred the closing event of Melbourne\u2019s LGBTQ+ Midsumma Festival.<\/p>\n
Police were called to the area at 11.50pm on Saturday after a group of people were seen vandalising structures set up for the annual Pride Street Party<\/a> on Sunday.<\/p>\n After police arrived, the group fled through Atherton Gardens towards Napier Street. Police patrolling the area later found more graffiti along walls on Smith Street.<\/p>\n Police said one of the people involved in the vandalism was seen carrying a machete.<\/p>\n The slogans \u2013 which were plastered across marquees, shopfronts and homes \u2013 were cleaned off by residents, traders and Midsumma staff and volunteers early on Sunday morning.<\/p>\n The event\u2019s organisers said the graffiti and posters included the phrases \u201cNo Pride on Stolen Land\u201d, \u201cNo Police at Pride\u201d and \u201cBoycott Midsumma\u201d.<\/p>\n Felicity McIntosh, the deputy CEO of Midsumma Festival, said a significant clean-up was needed before thousands of people descended on Fitzroy on Sunday to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community.<\/p>\n She said the graffiti was not peaceful protest, but rather \u201cvandalism that caused distress, financial impact and unnecessary harm\u201d to locals who supported the festival each year.<\/p>\n Related Article \u201cVictoria\u2019s Pride is the single biggest trading day of the year for many small, independently run local businesses who actively support and welcome our communities,\u201d McIntosh said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is deeply disappointing that they, along with local residents, were targeted in this way.<\/p>\n \u201cMidsumma believes in respectful dialogue, even when conversations are difficult. Targeting homes and businesses overnight does not advance those conversations.\u201d<\/p>\n According to the Star Observer, similar slogans including \u201cBoycott Midsumma\u201d were spray-painted on LGBTQ+ venues in Fitzroy and Collingwood in January<\/a> last year. It is unclear if the same group of activists are responsible for Saturday night\u2019s graffiti.<\/p>\n Police officers did not participate in last year\u2019s Midsumma Pride March in St Kilda, after organisers banned participants marching in formal work uniforms<\/a>, and did not approve a request from Victoria Police for its members to walk in uniform.<\/p>\n In February 2024, about 50 protesters confronted police<\/a> as they marched in the parade along Fitzroy Street, throwing paint and chanting \u201ccops kill queers\u201d.<\/p>\n This is the fifth year the Pride Street Party has been held, with the event capping off the three week-long Midsumma Festival.<\/p>\n A police spokeswoman said investigations were ongoing, and there was \u201cno place at all in our society for hate-based symbols and behaviour\u201d.<\/p>\n The City of Yarra, the council where the street party is taking place, has been contacted for comment.<\/p>\n Start the day with a summary of the day\u2019s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n Save<\/p>\n You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n![\"Celebrations](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/7884a663829bb2aca3dca3d87312ba1444a96ea3.jpeg\")
Celebrations at the Midsumma Festival in 2024.Chris Hopkins<\/p>\n![\"Protesters](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/8b5827acb18fc0b252436cf7f03ca869e02fc9f6.jpeg\")
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