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And if we can be a part of that, that’s what we’re going to do. It’s about inclusion, about engagement, and everyone matters. But thanks to the efforts of Aurora Pride, the City of Aurora and the Aurora Police Department, those 15,000 attendees at today’s parade had an affirming and safe environment to celebrate Pride!įifty years after the Stonewall Riots, which were a result of continued police harassment of the most marginalized portion of LGBTQ community in New York, it warms my heart that at least some police agencies have come to understand and accept us. Many residents said they had been waiting years for their community to host such an event, which celebrated people of all identities. Police officers also had a strong visible presence all along the parade route.Īnytime 15,000 people come together, security can always be an issue. Aurora hosts inaugural LGBTQ pride parade Press Rainbow flags, colorful balloons and thousands of brightly dressed people lined the streets of downtown Aurora on Sunday for the citys inaugural pride parade.
#GAY PRIDE PARADE CHICAGO 2018 AURORA FULL#
Not only did Aurora PD have a full command presence, they used snow plow dump trucks at several strategic points as barricades to prevent any vehicle from possibly entering the parade area.Īurora SRT officers were positioned on roof tops to provide an eagle eyed view of the parade route and potential threats from both within the crowd and beyond the celebration area. Sunday, June 17, bringing an event celebrating the LGBTQ community to a city that loves to promote its diversity. The Aurora Pride Parade is set to step off at 1 p.m.
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Each measure taken was to addressed a very real and potentially violent scenario. Illinois second-largest city will soon have its first gay pride parade. One might think that the measures taken would be a little over kill, but Aurora doesn’t take lightly the safety of their residents and those who come from all over to visit. Fortunately Detroit Police acted quickly to contain the group.Īs many Pride events happen though out the country and the world this month, a huge kudos go out to the City of Aurora, Illinois and the Aurora Police Department for taking measures to make sure that everyone who participated and observed the second annual Aurora Pride Parade was in a safe place. Even today, gun carrying Neo-Nazis showed up at the Detroit Pride Festival. The headlines are littered with accounts of individuals and hate groups confronting and sometimes evenly violently attacking peaceful protests and celebrations. With the escalation of violence towards LGBTQ individuals and groups, celebrating Pride can be one of those events has the potential to be a target for someone with hate on their heart and violence in their head. How often during our day do we think about our safety? How often to you think about your safety when you attend a community event? Today was one of those days when safety was something on my mind.