Steinbach Pride Parade granted street access

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Attendees of Steinbach's inaugural Pride Parade will not be forced to march on the sidewalk, organizers announced Tuesday evening on Facebook.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 29/06/2016 (3398 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Attendees of Steinbach’s inaugural Pride Parade will not be forced to march on the sidewalk, organizers announced Tuesday evening on Facebook.

The Mounties had previously told organizers that the July 9 Pride March would have to stick to sidewalks because a lane of the street along the march route was partially under construction. The RCMP later announced it was reassessing the decision.

Organizers said on Facebook the Mounties had negotiated with the city on their behalf and they were given street access.

Eduardo Lima / The Canadian Press files (left)
Steinbach Pride parade organizers expect hundreds to attend. Steinbach Mayor Chris Goertzen (top), Conservative MP Ted Falk (middle), and Health Minister and Steinbach Tory MLA Kelvin Goertzen say they won’t be among them.
Eduardo Lima / The Canadian Press files (left) Steinbach Pride parade organizers expect hundreds to attend. Steinbach Mayor Chris Goertzen (top), Conservative MP Ted Falk (middle), and Health Minister and Steinbach Tory MLA Kelvin Goertzen say they won’t be among them.

“We will not only be marching on the sidewalk!!,” said organizers on Steinbach Pride’s Facebook page.

The inaugural March made headlines over the past few weeks after several area politicians refused to attend the parade — including Provencher MP Ted Falk, who said he would be attending the Frog Follies instead. Steinbach MLA and cabinet minister Kelvin Goertzen, along with Steinbach Mayor Chris Goertzen have also declined to attend the event, citing prior commitments.

Steinbach city council have refused to endorse the parade.

Organizers also announced they would be changing the route of the parade, after realizing that more than an estimated 200 people were going to attend the event. 

The Pride March for Equality in Steinbach has been billed as a way to show a united front and commitment to LGBTTQ* safety within Manitoba’s so-called Bible Belt community. The march was supposed to begin at Steinbach United Church and end at city hall. Parade-goers will now assemble at Friesen Park, adjacent to the Jake Epp Library, and proceed to city hall. 

“The initial route was chosen thinking we’d have 200 folks out if we were really lucky… Your support has surpassed our wildest hopes!!,” Steinbach Pride said on Facebook.

Organizers also took the time to applaud the RCMP for working to ensure it is a safe and secure event. 

“RCMP are in charge of all security detail for this march and they will truly be out in full force ensuring our safety. Several planning meetings took place with RCMP over the last few days that included detailed discussion about routes, safety, and the extensive and comprehensive security detail that will be provided,” organizers said in the Facebook post. 

kristin.annable@freepress.mb.ca

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