For the second year in a row, Sacramento Pride Festival organizers have banned uniformed officers from participating in the parade, saying their presence may make others feel uneasy.
“To honor the pain and marginalization of community members who have been harmed by police violence, we have asked Sacramento Police not to participate in uniform for the 50th anniversary of Stonewall,” the Sacramento LGBT Community Center said in a Facebook post Friday.
The Sacramento police department also stated in an email statement “Our police department is disappointed that the LGBT Center does not want our officers attending upcoming public community events while in uniform. We support our LGBTQ officers who proudly serve our community on a daily basis. They have worked hard to earn these uniforms and are proud to wear them.”
Events for SacPride 2019 will begin Saturday morning at Capitol Mall.
David Heitstuman, the executive director for Sacramento LGBT Community Center, said police will provide security and manage any and all traffic road closures at the festival
