Several 2SLGBTQ+ organizations have decided to sever connections with the Edmonton Pride Festival due to concerns over an increased police presence and uncertainties regarding the consideration of an application from a police-affiliated group to participate in the parade.
The festival organizers took to social media this week to announce their plans to enhance the safety measures, which will involve more police presence during the upcoming Edmonton Pride Parade and Trans March. In response, groups such as Pride Corner on Whyte, pflag Edmonton, and the Edmonton Lesbian Event Network declared their decision to withdraw from the festival.
Pride Corner on Whyte explained in a social media post that their choice was influenced by the lack of responses to calls for action from Black and Indigenous Trans and Queer community members. They also referenced historical events like the police raid on an Edmonton bathhouse, racial profiling concerns, encampment clearances, and police responses to demonstrations as contributing to their unease.
During a news conference, Trevor Watson, the executive producer of the Edmonton Pride Festival, defended the decision to increase police presence, citing recent attacks at Pride events in Berlin and Vancouver. Watson emphasized the priority of ensuring the safety of attendees, participants, and loved ones, despite potential criticism.
In light of the disagreement, Adebayo Katiiti, founder of RaricaNow, a nonprofit representing 2SLGBTQ+ refugees and newcomers, highlighted the community’s longstanding concern over police presence at Pride events. The issue escalated in 2018 when protesters halted the parade, leading to a ban on law enforcement agencies like the Edmonton Police Service and RCMP from participating.
Katiiti urged the festival to explore alternative security options rather than relying solely on police presence, echoing the sentiments of the marginalized community. Festival organizers confirmed that a police-affiliated group that applied to march in the parade would not be allowed to do so. They expressed a commitment to maintaining communication with the withdrawing organizations to foster collaboration.
The Edmonton Police Service stated that their major events team had collaborated with festival organizers on traffic management and emergency preparedness. Acknowledging global incidents of hate and violence against 2SLGBTQ+ communities, the EPS emphasized their dedication to ensuring the safety of all individuals involved.
Notably, there will be no police presence at the Indigenous Pride programming during the weekend, as confirmed by the Pride festival organizers.