Atlanta Pride Festival returns after 2-year pandemic hiatus, heightened security expected – WSB-TV Channel 2

ATLANTA — Anticipate to see giant crowds and further safety at this weekend’s ‘Atlanta Delight.’

The pageant and parade are again this 12 months 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 organising.

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Crews will spend the following 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 Delight within the final three years.

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

Atlanta police will probably be out in drive to guard the crowds.

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

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

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Atlanta Delight’s government director says they work carefully with APD and different non-public safety.

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

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

Atlanta Delight weekend has seen protesters previously and further safety will probably 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 feel everyone knows, robust as one and surpass that, don’t actually take into consideration that. Suppose all of us belief our neighborhood and know we’ll be secure about it and we now have plenty of safety right here,” Forbes stated.

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Atlanta Delight comes a month after Music Midtown cancelled their huge 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 is no such thing as a rule for weapons or carrying. Their web site solely says they request everybody go away any weapons, together with firearms, at residence.

The annual Atlanta Delight parade is that this Sunday. It’s going to begin at midday.

Click here for the parade map.

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