Banning NYPD, Law Enforcement At Pride Events 'A Mistake': Mayor

New York City NY

17 May, 2021

3:02 PM

Description

NEW YORK CITY — Two days after NYC Pride officials said they will ban NYPD cops and other law enforcement and corrections officers at Pride events for the next four years, Mayor Bill de Blasio on Monday called the new decision to do so "a mistake" and that the safety of event goers must remain the priority. Pride officials announced in a news release Saturday that they had made the decision to ban law enforcement from attending events as a way of creating safe spaces for members of the LGBTQIA+ and the Black, indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) communities. They cited violence against marginalized groups, specifically BIPOC and members of the trans population as a reason for banning police presence at events, which officials said can often be considered threatening, the news release stated. While de Blasio acknowledged the "extraordinary history" of Pride in New York City, and honored the achievements of the group over the years, the Mayor said banning law enforcement at groups was unwise. "I think that decision is a mistake," de Blasio said Monday. He added: "First of all, we have to keep people safe and it's been an incredibly safe, positive event, and we have to be mindful of continuing that. Second of all, you know, I believe in inclusion and we're talking about — one of the issues is officers who are members of the LGBT community wanting to March and express their pride, and their solidarity of the community, and their desire to keep changing the NYPD and changing the city. That's something I think should be embraced." Rather than having city cops and other law enforcement officers provide security, Pride officials said they would provide increased "community-based" security and first responders as a way of reducing NYPD presence at events. NYPD would only provide security only when absolutely necessary and when mandated by city officials, Pride offcials said in the news release. Pride officials indicated that their ban on NYPD officers and other law enforcement representatives would run until 2025. The organization will then reconsider the ban after it is reviewed by the executive board and committees having to do with community relations and diversity, accessibility and inclusion. NYC Pride Co-Chairperson Andre Thomas said that the decision was made after many months of discussion and conversation with key stakeholders.