Atlanta Pride Festival returns after 2-year pandemic hiatus, heightened security expected

ATLANTA — Count on to see giant crowds and additional safety at this weekend’s ‘Atlanta Pleasure.’

The pageant and parade are again this yr for the primary time since pre-pandemic instances.

Channel 2′s Steve Gehlbach was in midtown Atlanta at Piedmont Park, the place they had been busy establishing.

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Crews will spend the subsequent couple days ending the setup all through Piedmont Park.

One festivalgoer who lives within the space is happy to see it again, the primary Atlanta Pleasure within the final three years.

“I believe there’s a lot happening, folks visiting from all around the nation that come right here…and now we have a variety of nice performers on stage. It’s free, which is sweet,” Cedric Forbes stated.

Atlanta police shall be out in power to guard the crowds.

Their LGBTIQ liaison officer welcomes everybody to town and desires to maintain them protected.

“You’ll see us all through the park, within the parade, and through the pageant. We’ll be out all weekend,” Atlanta Police LGBTQ Liaison Officer Hayes stated.

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Atlanta Pleasure’s government director says they work carefully with APD and different personal safety.

“We’re a big occasion, but additionally an occasion the place individuals are very polarized, those that don’t need us to be gathering and having a superb time,” Jamie Fergerson stated.

“The police division is cognizant always of threats happening within the metropolis,” Hayes stated.

Atlanta Pleasure weekend has seen protesters prior to now and additional safety shall be in place, particularly after current hate crimes of vandalism when a suspect who was later arrested spray-painted swastikas on the rainbow crosswalk only a block from the park.

“I believe everyone knows, sturdy as one and surpass that, don’t actually take into consideration that. Assume all of us belief our neighborhood and know we’ll be protected about it and now we have a variety of safety right here,” Forbes stated.

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Atlanta Pleasure comes a month after Music Midtown cancelled their large pageant right here within the park partially due to Georgia gun legal guidelines and a current ruling the place they felt they couldn’t ban weapons in a public park.

For this occasion, there isn’t any rule for weapons or carrying. Their web site solely says they request everybody go away any weapons, together with firearms, at house.

The annual Atlanta Pleasure parade is that this Sunday. It should begin at midday.

Click on right here for the parade map.

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