PRATTVILLE, Ala. — In a recent decision, officials in the city of Prattville have decided to exclude an LGBTQ+ pride organization from the lineup of its annual Christmas parade, citing “safety concerns.”
The mayor’s office of Prattville made a public announcement on Thursday indicating that the float presented by Prattville Pride would not be a part of the parade on Friday, as reported by local media outlet WSFA-TV. The organization had previously registered to participate several weeks ahead of the event.
Mayor Bill Gillespie Jr. stated that concerns were raised regarding the safety of Prattville Pride’s inclusion in the Christmas parade. However, specific details surrounding these safety issues were not provided in the official statement.
The statement emphasized the city’s commitment to prioritizing the safety of its citizens over the rights of participants in the parade. It remarked, “Given the safety concerns for Prattville Pride, as well as other participants and bystanders, the city has opted to withdraw Prattville Pride from the Christmas parade.”
In response to the decision, Adam Hunt, the president of Prattville Pride, expressed that the organization had no comments at this moment but confirmed they have engaged legal representation.
Prattville, with a population of around 40,000, is situated just north of Montgomery, the state capital. The decision has faced some backing from individuals who advocated for the prevention of the group’s parade participation.
