NYC Pride has announced new policies to reduce the amount of
law enforcement presence at events.
The organization says they will ban police and corrections
officers from working at any pride events until 2025.
According to a release from the group:
“The sense of safety that law enforcement is meant to
provide can instead be threatening, and at times dangerous, to those in our
community who are most often targeted with excessive force and/or without
reason. NYC Pride is unwilling to contribute in any way to creating an
atmosphere of fear or harm for members of the community. The steps being taken
by the organization challenge law enforcement to acknowledge their harm and to
correct course moving forward, in hopes of making an impactful change.”
NYC Pride says they will hire a private security firm and
will be asking the NYPD to keep a distance from all events, including the Pride
March on June 27.
“This announcement follows many months of conversation and
discussion with key stakeholders in the community,” said NYC Pride Co-Chair
André Thomas, in prepared remarks.
The NYPD told News 12 that they will still be there to
ensure traffic and safety order during the event. It said in a statement:
“Our annual work to ensure a safe, enjoyable pride season
has been increasingly embraced by its participants. The idea of officers being
excluded is disheartening and runs counter to our shared values of inclusion
and tolerance."
The Gay Officers Action League, or GOAL, said in a statement that it was "disheartened" by NYC Pride's decision.