Pulse Nightclub Owner To Lead NYC Pride Parade

From the New York Daily News:

The owner of Pulse, the Orlando nightclub where 49 people were shot and killed by a crazed gunman, will ride on the lead float in this year’s NYC Pride March.

Also, in memory of all those lost in the June 12 massacre, their names will be read, followed by a moment of silence, a spokesman for NYC Pride said.

With Pulse owner Barbara Poma and the club’s entertainment manager Neema Bahrami scheduled to lead the way, city officials said Thursday they expect the largest turnout in the parade’s history, and have ordered a vastly increased police presence over other years.

“You will be safe, you will be protected,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said. “You’ll see a lot of the same protections that are in place at every Pride parade, and you’ll see more as well. Some will be visible, and there will be other important measures you won’t see.”