Nice Postpones Pride Parade In Wake Of Bastille Day Terror Attack

"Our choice is part of a process of contemplation, of dignity and decency, while we are stilled crushed by the the trauma of July 14."

From: NewNowNext

 In the wake of the horrible attack on Nice over Bastille Day, organizers of the city’s Pride Parade have decided to postpone the event, which was to take place this Saturday.

 AGLAE, the Gay and Lesbian Association of the French Riviera, issued a statement on Tuesday explaining the Pink Parade would be moved to August 20.

“With several victims not yet identified and the walls of our city still covered with APBs, the promenade still bears the scars of the massacre,” it reads in part. “The burials have barely started and the pain and emotion are unspeakable.”

 The decision was made after consulting the organization’s board of directors, the LGBT community of Nice and and local authorities.

“One thing should be perfectly clear: at no time did the city ask us to cancel the Pink Parade,” organizers insisted. “And we would not have given it up. After the massacre of Orlando and before the next presidential election, it will have to take a unique dimension.”

Nice’s gayborhood is only a few hundred feet from where Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhlel drove his truck into sightseers enjoying Bastille Day fireworks, killing 84 people and wounding many more. The parade route goes along the Promenade des Anglais, the same road where the attack took place.

Last month, the Paris Pride parade’s route was cut in half over security concerns in the wake of the Orlando shooting and the coordinated attacks on the city last fall.

Below read the full version of AGLAE’s statement.

On July 14, our beautiful city of Nice suffered an ignoble terrorist attack, resulting in 84 deaths and more than 200 wounded, including Niçois and tourists of all ages and all faiths. Association AGLAE sends its condolences to the families of the victims and joins in the grief that hit our city.

With several victims not yet identified and the walls of our city still covered with APBs, the promenade still bears the scars of the massacre. The burials have barely started and the pain and emotion are unspeakable.

[We therefore ] made the choice to postpone the Pink parade which was to take place this Saturday, July 23, 2016, to Saturday, August 20).

This decision was taken to the majority of our board of directors, after consultation with the LGBT community of Nice and in accordance with municipal authorities.

One thing should be perfectly clear: at no time did the city ask us to cancel the Pink Parade, and we will not give it up. After the massacre of Orlando and before the next presidential election, it will have to take a unique dimension.

Proud, we are. Proud, we will always be.

This is in no way keeping your head down or backing away in the face of barbarism. And it’s not to renounce our claim of equal rights for all.

Our choice is part of a process of contemplation, of dignity and decency while we are stilled crushed by the the trauma of July 14.

We look forward to meeting you on August 20 for an even more unforgettable Pink Parade.

Solidarity, proud and awake!