Thousands lined the streets of downtown Fredericton on Sunday for the city’s annual Pride parade.
It came just days after last week’s shooting that left four people dead, including two police officers.
LA Henry is president of Fredericton Pride and told us she was really impressed by the turnout of people, many of whom cheered as officers passed by.
“There’s just so much support for the city police and what they’ve suffered,” Henry said, “and of course, Chief Leanne Fitch is part of [the LGBTQ+] community and we really, really respect her and admire her and feel for what she’s going through right now.”
LA Henry is the president of Fredericton Pride. I asked her about the big turnout this year and if she thinks it’s connected to Friday’s events. #Fredericton pic.twitter.com/mNeeEU2sU2
— Tamara Steele (@tamarasteele1) August 12, 2018
Henry said the turnout was at least three times bigger than last year and she feels stronger about her sense of community than ever before.
She said they had already been getting a lot more interest in this year’s parade but she thinks Friday’s tragedy really brought the community together.
“I feel that this has provided an opportunity for groups that maybe historically have not always felt at ease with one another — LGBTQ people, the police, our Indigenous population — and those have completely come together.”
Fredericton Mayor Mike O’Brien and Premier Brian Gallant take part in Fredericton’s Pride parade. I’m told it has a bigger turnout this year. pic.twitter.com/Y6MWToxRMT
— Tamara Steele (@tamarasteele1) August 12, 2018
