Resistance Groups Allowed Prime Spot in NYC's Pride March This June
Protest against the Trump administration and the Republican Party's control of the federal government will be front and center at this year's LGBT Pride March in New York City in June.
Event organizers permitted resistance groups key spots at the beginning of the march.
According to Gay City News, members of ACT UP, United Thru Action, Gays Against Guns, and Rise + Resist approached pride march organizers Heritage of Pride (HOP) a month ago regarding inclusion. The resolved plan, following Tuesday night's meeting with HOP, is for the Sirens Women's Motorcycle Club to lead the parade, followed by the grand marshals, HOP float, and then the aforementioned resistance groups.
HOP had expressed concerns that given the political climate a resurgence of protests, the event would find it troublesome absorbing the additional participants.
"Our current march route is at capacity," said HOP's strategic planning Sue Doster, at a March 21 meeting. "You can't add a half million people to that march and keep it safe for everyone."
The push back from organizers to political groups is emblematic of the event's evolution from its roots as a protest march to a celebratory parade.
The march will take place June 25 in Manhattan.