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MONTREAL — Henry Lam said he was hoping to make history when he marched in Montreal’s Pride parade on Aug. 18 with his husband.

Lam and Guy Ho wanted to march in the Aug. 18 event with Action Free Hong Kong Montreal to express their support for same-sex couples fighting for freedom and marriage equality in Hong Kong — the first time, he said, that a group from Hong Kong would be official parade participants.

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Instead, Lam received an email from organizers the day the before the event that his group would not be allowed to participate after police reportedly informed organizers of a threat to sabotage the parade by protesters opposed to the Hong Kong pro-democracy movement.

The email, which has been seen by The Canadian Press, cited the “the presence of public figures, including prime ministers,” as well as the festival’s policy in not interfering in geopolitical conflicts.

Lam said his group was willing to participate despite the threats, and even went out and purchased goggles and umbrellas to protect themselves against possible pepper spray.