San Diego’s Pride Parade and Festival will go on as scheduled July 16 despite the deadly shooting in Orlando, Florida and arrest of an armed man in the Los Angeles area, organizers said Monday.
Pulse, an LGBT nightclub in Orlando, was the site of the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history early Sunday when a gunman opened fire inside the packed club. Officials said Monday 49 people were killed in addition to the gunman. Another 53 people were hospitalized with injuries.
Santa Monica police arrested an Indiana man who told officers he had intended to attend LA's Pride festivities Sunday. Officers said they found assault rifles, high capacity magazines, ammunition and chemicals used to make explosives in the man's vehicle.
San Diego’s Pride Parade is one of the largest in the U.S., bringing an estimated 100,000 people to the city as both participants and spectators, according to Stephen Whitburn, the Executive Director of Pride.
Whitburn told NBC 7 that San Diego is unfortunately no stranger to violence when it comes to the event.
In 1999, there was a tear-gassing incident. In 2006, people were attacked with baseball bats.
Whitburn said Sunday’s attack in Orlando is a reminder of the hate that can be demonstrated against the LGBT community.
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“People will sometimes ask me why we still need pride parades today when there's so much equality under the law?” Whitburn said. “But laws don't end prejudice and there's still prejudice and still a need for people to come together in love and support and solidarity particularly after events like this.”
So every year, Pride officials work closely with the San Diego Police Department to ensure safety.
Whitburn said volunteers and staff will work with police in the days and weeks to come to plan for extra security in Hillcrest, a historically LGBT community in San Diego.
As for how the parade will pay tribute to the Orlando victims, the group will discuss a dedication before the event.
Sunday's LA Pride Parade in West Hollywood began at about 11 a.m. with a moment of silence. There were no disruptions to the event.
San Francisco's annual celebrations will go on as scheduled as well, city officials said Monday. The Bay Area's Gay Pride weekend kicks off June 25.
