Standard News

Hide Advertisement
  • Business
  • Culture
  • News
  • Technology
  • Trending
Site logo
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

New York City heightens security for Sunday’s gay pride parade

By Reuters 2 min read
Advertisement - Continue reading below
A participant wears a LGBT flag as people take part in the Annual Mermaid Parade in Brooklyn

By Gina Cherelus

NEW YORK (Reuters) – New York City police will send more officers to safeguard Sunday’s annual gay pride parade, boosting security at the event that is expected to attract more than 1.6 million spectators just days after the June 12 mass shooting in Orlando, city officials said on Thursday.

Advertisement

Anticipating the largest pride parade New York City has seen since the event’s inception in 1970, Mayor Bill de Blasio said that although there was no specific threat directed against the highly anticipated event, the city’s police will take extra precautions.

“We have been vigilant every day since 9/11,” the mayor told a news conference. “This year, we have an obligation to our nation in the wake of Orlando to show what pride and inclusion looks like.”

The parade begins at noon in Manhattan and will include more than 2,000 participants and 85 floats. Less than two weeks earlier, a gunman claiming to be an “Islamic soldier” opened fire and killed 49 people at gay nightclub in Orlando.

“Out of precaution, we are increasing the size of police detail this year with some degree of focus that we might not have had in years past with issues of terrorism, certainly in light of the events in Orlando,” said Police Commissioner Bill Bratton.

The New York Police Department will have more officers using radiation detection devices, explosive-detection K-9 dogs and area cameras to monitor the parade.

There will also be radiation helicopters to monitor crowds and traffic, individual officers observing from rooftops, officers stationed within the city’s transit system and water vessels to patrol events taking place along piers near the Hudson River.

The parade, hosted by the NYC Pride organization, will begin at 36th Street and Fifth Avenue and end in Greenwich Village, home of the Stonewall Inn bar which is known as the birthplace of the gay rights movement.

“Our hearts are certainly still heavy from the incidents in Orlando,” said NYC Pride co-chair David Studinkski, who encouraged members of the community to join the parade on Sunday.

“The worst thing that we can do as a community is to hide,” Studinkski said. “Many of us started in closets and the last thing that we should do is go back into them.”

(Reporting by Gina Cherelus; Editing by David Gregorio)

tagreuters.com2016binary_LYNXNPEC5M1N2-VIEWIMAGE

Advertisement - Continue reading below

Cuba says U.S. commercial flights welcome
News
Reuters 2 min read

Cuba says U.S. commercial flights welcome

Ohio prosecutor reviewing Cincinnati Zoo gorilla case
News
Reuters 2 min read

Ohio prosecutor reviewing Cincinnati Zoo gorilla case

Cyrus’ comedic skills led Woody Allen to cast her as ‘Crisis’ leading lady
Entertainment
Reuters 2 min read

Cyrus’ comedic skills led Woody Allen to cast her as ‘Crisis’ leading lady

Competency hearing resumes for accused Colorado clinic gunman
News
Reuters 2 min read

Competency hearing resumes for accused Colorado clinic gunman

I got you babe: Cher aims to free lonely, chained elephant in Pakistan
Entertainment
Reuters 1 min read

I got you babe: Cher aims to free lonely, chained elephant in Pakistan

Brexit to take toll on British Florida vacation home dreams
News
Reuters 4 min read

Brexit to take toll on British Florida vacation home dreams

Orlando hospitals won’t charge nightclub shooting victims for care
News
Reuters 2 min read

Orlando hospitals won’t charge nightclub shooting victims for care

FDA Clears Test to Help Manage Antibiotic Treatment for Lower Respiratory Tract Infections and Sepsis
News
Jason Owen 3 min read

FDA Clears Test to Help Manage Antibiotic Treatment for Lower Respiratory Tract Infections and Sepsis

Actress Leslie Jones’ website hacked, nude photos posted
Entertainment
Reuters 2 min read

Actress Leslie Jones’ website hacked, nude photos posted

No initial sign of crime in U.S. Agriculture Dept. fire
News
Reuters 1 min read

No initial sign of crime in U.S. Agriculture Dept. fire

load more Loading posts...

sidebar

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

sidebar-alt

  • About Us
  • Imprint
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • For Advertisers