By Gary McKinnon

PRIDE FESTIVAL CANCELLED

Edmonton Pride Festival cancelled citing ‘current events’

Apr 11, 2019 | 8:12 AM

EDMONTON- The organizers of the Edmonton Pride Festival have cancelled this year’s event, citing the “current political and social environment.”

A letter from the board of directors says the decision was made with a “heavy heart,” adding there will be other community organizations putting on events in June.

The letter posted on the Edmonton Pride Festival Society’s website late Wednesday says its goal is to host a safe event encompassing of the entire community, something they say is not attainable this year.

The board of directors also say the festival will not be hosted this year because of current events, but does not elaborate.

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The festival was scheduled for June 7, with the Pride parade taking place the following day.

Last year, the parade was halted for more than half an hour by demonstrators demanding organizers uninvite Edmonton police officers, the RCMP and military personnel from the event, amid a country-wide debate over the presence of police in Pride parades.

(The Canadian Press)