Watch gay pride parade chicago 2016
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Houston police also are increasing security for the city’s gay pride parade on June 25. The FBI also echoed Johnson’s plea to the public to quickly report any suspicious activity. The FBI also said it would take an active role, gathering intelligence on any possible threat to the parade and sharing that information with Chicago police. Parade organizers themselves also are providing additional security at the city’s request - hiring 160 off-duty police officers and other security professionals, 70 more than worked the parade last year. In Chicago, where nearly 1 million people have attended the pride parade in previous years, better security - including 200 additional uniformed and plainclothes officers - will be assigned to this weekend’s PrideFest and next weekend’s parade out of “an abundance of caution,” Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said Thursday. Meanwhile, authorities from Denver to Chicago to New Orleans are tightening security with bag searches, more police officers and private security workers and more crowd-control barriers. say they have not received information on any credible threats, Houston is investigating a threat that was made against the parade in a tweet. While many federal and local authorities around the U.S. Spectators also praised the security presence, saying officers vigilantly walked throughout the area, checking bags and any coolers that appeared to have been left unattended.CHICAGO (AP) - The huge crowds expected to attend gay pride parades around the United States in the coming weeks will be greeted by more police officers and ramped-up security measures as a means to protect them in the wake of the mass shooting in a gay nightclub in Florida. Additionally, parade organizers nearly doubled the number of security officers they hired for the event.Ĭook County sheriff's officers and the FBI also helped with security staffing, while the Office of Emergency Management & Communications opened its response center throughout the event.Ĭity officials said there were no major incidents reported. There were no specific threats made to either the parade, or to LGBT communities and businesses, and city officials boosted an already heavy police presence at the parade as a precaution.Ĭhicago police Superintendent Eddie Johnson deployed hundreds of additional uniformed officers, who constantly patrolled the route on foot. The parade proceeded amid a far tighter security presence than seen in previous years. Pat Quinn, City Clerk Susana Mendoza and Kim Foxx, Democratic candidate for Cook County state's attorney, also marched and greeted spectators. Mark Kirk and his Democratic challenger, U.S.
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Several politicians made appearances, including Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who greeted Mendes-McAllister and several other participants before beginning the route with his wife, Amy Rule.
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They're more accepting now, she said, but she's still sensitive to how others will react to her orientation - especially in their suburban, predominantly Latino neighborhood. When Chavez came out to her parents in high school, she said they sent her to conversion therapy to make her straight. Many of the Orlando victims were Hispanic. Zulema Chavez and Samantha Morales, both 24 and of Blue Island, said they were especially touched by Sunday's tribute to the Orlando victims because as gay Latina women, the shooting touches on an intersection of culture they're well-versed in. Bringing my 5-year-old here, I don't see anything wrong with it." We're all equal, we all love each other and that's what matters. "I think with what's going on right now in the world, we just need to teach love. "We need to raise (kids) to love everybody," Teresa Medina, 44, said. "We have to live life with an open heart, with open eyes and an open mind, and that starts when you're young." "We can't live a lifestyle in a vacuum," said Medina, 50, of Lakeview. Medina, who attended the parade with several relatives, including his wife, Teresa, and 5-year-old daughter, Bella, said he was proud of the accepting household he and his wife have cultivated. Medina, who is straight, said he has raised his kids differently, and his 29-year-old daughter just got married to another woman.