Security at center of San Francisco's Pride Parade and celebrations
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- The iconic San Francisco Pride Parade is one of the largest gay pride events in the world. Sunday's event will be marked with an increased police presence around the city, following the Orlando nightclub massacre, including stepped up security at this year's Pride Fest.
San Francisco is showing its pride to the world this weekend with rainbow colors just about everywhere you look.
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"Our hearts are with Orlando. We think of them every day," said San Francisco resident Cory Vaughn.
For the first time ever, there's a security checkpoint screening at every entrance to Pride Fest. Many say they get it.
"I feel pretty safe, I think that it needs to be implemented and I think it's a good idea," said Denver resident Brennie Don.
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"We have metal detectors, we're all being safe, but we'ere still looking over our shoulders," Vaugn said.
Extra police officers are on duty patrolling Pride Fest and Sunday's Pride Parade.
Mia Satya is a Grand Marshal at this year's parade. She will march, but groups like Black Lives Matter will not in protest of the added police presence.
"I think think there are too many police at pride this year," Satya said. "I do not think more police will make us safe. The attack in Orlando was one lone gunman," Satya said.
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Supervisor Scott Weiner is sympathetic. "I don't like the fact that there are metal detectors going into Civic Center Plaza, but I'm not going to second guess the pride committee's decision to try to keep people safe," Weiner said.
Safety is the mantra at this year's pride, something worth repeating.
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San Francisco isn't the only city beefing up security. In New York City, thousands of officers were lining the route, along with plainclothes officers in the crowd.
New York City's annual gay pride parade began with a moment of silence for the victims of the massacre at an Orlando gay nightclub.
Crowds of people lined up a dozen deep Sunday along Fifth Avenue. Many waved rainbow flags.
Last year, New York City's storied gay pride parade celebrated a high point with the legalization of same-sex marriage nationwide. Along with honoring the Orlando shooting victims, NYC marked a celebratory milestone: President Barack Obama on Friday designated the site around New York City's Stonewall Inn as the first national monument to gay rights.
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The following streets will be closed:
Celebration Site Street Closures: FRIDAY, JUNE 24, through MONDAY, JUNE 27
Fulton between Hyde and Larkin Friday 9 AM through Monday 3 PM
Grove between Polk and Larkin Friday 9 AM through Monday 6 AM
UN Plaza Friday 9 AM through Monday 6AM
Dr. Carleton B. Goodlett between McAllister and Grove Friday 7 PM through Monday 6 AM
Grove between Hyde and Larkin Friday 8 PM through Monday 6 AM
Grove between Polk and Van Ness Friday 8 PM through Monday 6 AM
Larkin between McAllister and Market Friday 8 PM through Monday 6 AM
Lech Walesa between Polk and Van Ness Friday 8 PM through Monday 6 AM
Polk between Grove and Market Friday 8 PM through Monday 6 AM
McAllister between Van Ness and Hyde Saturday 12:01 AM through Monday 6 AM
Hyde between McAllister and Grove Saturday 5AM through Monday 6 AM
McAllister between Hyde and Leavenworth Saturday 5AM through Monday 6 AM
Continuum Place (all) Saturday 8 PM through Monday 6 AM
Elm between Polk and Van Ness Saturday 8 PM through Monday 6 AM
Golden Gate between Leavenworth and Van Ness Saturday 8 PM through Monday 6 AM
Hyde between Turk and McAllister Saturday 8 PM through Monday 6 AM
Larkin between Turk and McAllister Saturday 8 PM through Monday 6 AM
Polk between Turk and McAllister Saturday 8 PM through Monday 6 AM
Redwood between Polk and Van Ness Saturday 8 PM through Monday 6 AM
Parade Street Closures: SUNDAY, JUNE 25th, 10:00AM through 3:00PM
Market Street from Beale to Steuart Sunday 10:00AM through Sunday 3:00PM
Steuart Street from Market to Howard Sunday 10:00AM through Sunday 3:00PM
Spear Street from Market to Howard Sunday 10:00AM through Sunday 3:00PM
Main Street from Market to Howard Sunday 10:00AM through Sunday 3:00PM
Beale Street from Market to Howard Sunday 10:00AM through Sunday 3:00PM
Market Street between Market and Folsom Sunday 10:00AM Sunday 3:00PM
Parade down Market Street to 8th Street Sunday 10:00AM Sunday 3:00PM
