NAPO Washington Reports

NAPO statement on NYC Pride event

May 17, 2021

 

Ms. Sue Doster                                              Mr. André Thomas
Co-Chair                                                        Co-Chair
Heritage of Pride, Inc.                                   Heritage of Pride, Inc.
112 Christopher Street                                  112 Christopher Street
New York, New York 10014                          New York, New York 10014

Dear Ms. Doster and Mr. Thomas:

On behalf of the National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO), representing over 241,000 sworn law enforcement officers across the country, including the rank-and-file officers of the New York City Police Department (NYPD), I write to you to express our great disappointment in NYC Pride’s decision to ban the NYPD from both exhibiting and participating at NYC Pride events.

The NYPD has worked cooperatively and successfully with NYC Pride to ensure the safety of the parade and event participants for years, particularly as the Pride Parade and surrounding events have become larger-scale, city-wide community events.  It is disheartening that the reasons behind the ban, which also includes the participation of the Gay Officers Action League, do not recognize the contributions of the NYPD and its officers to ensuring the safety and success of NYC Pride events.  NYC Pride is choosing to demonize law enforcement, including LGBTQ+ officers, rather than stand up for the officers who participate in and work to protect your events in good faith and solidarity.

With this decision, NYC Pride is fanning the flames against law enforcement.  It is only instilling further hatred and fear of law enforcement into the community while not exemplifying how real police-community partnerships can be positive and effective.    

The men and women who serve as law enforcement officers risk their lives every day to ensure our neighborhoods and communities are safe.  It is only with real community-police partnerships that positive change can be affected and so we urge you to reverse this ban and recognize NYC Pride’s partnership with law enforcement for what it is: a powerful instrument for good.

Sincerely,

Michael McHale
President