Fredericton celebrates Pride amid grief

A subdued Pride parade went ahead Sunday afternoon in Fredericton, with Mayor Mike O’Brien calling it a way for the city’s residents to begin healing after Friday’s shooting that left four dead, including two police officers.

“It’s a way for our community to start rebuilding our faith in community and having a celebration,” O’Brien said Saturday. “There’s a way to celebrate even in the midst of this grief.”

The parade began with a moment of silence, and organizers said in a Facebook post that they were marching “in appreciation of our chief of police Leanne Fitch, the first responders and all the officers who risk their lives on a daily basis to keep us safe.”

Barb MacMullin, treasurer of Fredericton Pride, said the city’s police have long been allies to the local LGBTQ community, and Sunday’s parade was an opportunity for the Pride organization to return the support.

Sunday evening, after meeting with the families of the fallen police officers, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attended a Fredericton Pride social event at a local pub. He spoke to the gathering and explained why he wasn’t able to march in the parade. “I was honoured to be able to spend some time with our police services here and with their families, who we obviously stand together with,” he said.

“But I’m also very pleased to know Pride continued. People were celebrating, people were strong. People recognized the tragedy but were also looking for an opportunity to come together … and that’s exactly what you did.”