Instead of finding common ground and a chance to unite in the wake of the tragic shooting of Philando Castile, the Twin Cities Pride festival decided to drive a wedge into the divide.
The festival set to take place over the weekend of June 24th and 25th is excluding police officers from marching and participating, which has left Minneapolis Police Chief Janeé Harteau, who is the first open lesbian, “surprised and saddened to be shut out from an event meant to celebrate diversity and foster inclusion.”
In a letter to Twin Cities Pride, Harteau wrote, “I am beyond disappointed that you didn’t feel you could talk with me before making such a divisive decision that has really hurt so many in our community, including the LGBTQ members of this Department (and their family members). … I really struggle to see how this decision helps our community heal, and the message of division and not inclusion is so hurtful to many of us.”
Of course, due to city ordinances regarding parades, there has to be police presence at both the beginning and end of the march. Twin Cities decided to forgo all additional participation from law enforcement.
It’s sad that an organization representing the LGBT community decides to broad-brush police officers for the actions of a few, when at the same time, they preach tolerance and acceptance of Muslims after their own community was attacked at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando by the Islamic State a year ago.
They were perfectly fine not demonizing Muslims after Omar Mateen killed 49 people, but because it’s politically convenient, Twin Cities Pride showed their true partisan colors by demonizing police officers as a whole.
