MINNEAPOLIS: Twin Cities Pride Apologizes To Lesbian Police Chief, Cops Now Invited To March In Parade

The Minneapolis Fox affiliate reports:

Earlier this week, Twin Cities Pride announced they would have only one, unmarked police car – as required by law – to clear the way for the parade, as opposed to the several marked squad cars that typically roll down Hennepin Avenue at the start.

Organizers said they wanted to “respect the pain the community is feeling” after Officer Jeronimo Yanez was acquitted in the fatal shooting of Philando Castile. But, members of the law enforcement community, particularly LGBT members, were hurt by the decision.

On Thursday night, Pride organizers met with Minneapolis Police Chief Janeé Harteau and others to discuss alternative solutions. On Friday, they apologized and invited officers to march in the parade.

“We recognize this decision has made members of the law enforcement community feel excluded, which is contrary to our mission,” Twin Cities Pride said in a statement. “Our intent is and was to respect the pain that the people of color and transgender communities have experienced as of late, but our original approach fell short of our mission.”

Harteau is openly gay and was the parade’s grand marshal several years ago. (Tipped by JMG reader Joe)