Joe.My.God. LGBT News
From the Associated Press:
Officials in North Carolina have declared Charlotte’s gay pride festival later this month is an extraordinary event that requires extra security.
City officials say the decision allows them to ban backpacks and regular items that can be used as weapons, such as chains and box cutters at the Aug. 20-21 event. It also allows police more latitude to stop and search people.
The decision comes less than two months after 49 people were killed in a shooting at The Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida.
Charlotte passed the extraordinary event ordinance in 2012 before the Democratic National Convention. It has been used for Bank of America and Duke Energy shareholder meetings and NFL playoff games. This is the first time it has been used for the gay pride festival.
Organizers say they are disappointed:
Charlotte Pride is keenly aware of the implications increased policing may have on our LGBTQ community, especially for (transgender) communities and people of color,” according to a statement from Charlotte Pride. “We were disappointed when we were informed on July 14, 2016 that this year’s festival and parade might be labeled an extraordinary event.”
Security expert Walter Kimble said it is a smart move for Charlotte Pride to receive this designation, especially in wake of recent world violence including the massacre at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando.
“It’s better to be on the safe side of these events,” Kimble said. “I think that it is the proper thing to do to call it an extraordinary event. I think it is going to allow greater proactive police presence to ensure the safety of everyone. That is not to say this is going to be a police occupation. They are going to be there to ensure this is a safe and productive event for everyone concerned.”