Fears of active shooters at Pride events in New York City and San Francisco caused chaos Sunday, overshadowing the celebrations amid heightened concerns about previous shootings at LGBTQ spaces and the frequency of mass shootings in the United States.
New York City police said on Twitter there were “NO shots fired” at Washington Square Park, the center of Pride celebrations in the city, after loud noises sent crowds fleeing and nearly caused a stampede. “After an investigation, it was determined that the sound was fireworks set off at the location,” police said.
With many Pride events — which are often held in June — returning this year for the first time since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, extremism researchers have highlighted increased risk.
Concerns about gun violence against LBTQ people have lingered since a shooting at an Orlando gay bar in 2016 left 49 people dead. A spate of mass shootings this year, including those in Buffalo and Uvalde, Tex., has raised tensions across the country.
On June 26, fears of active shooters at Pride events in New York City and San Francisco caused chaos as people went running in all directions. (Video: The Washington Post)
In San Francisco on Saturday, officers patrolling the city’s Civic Center area, where the San Francisco Pride Festival was held, responded to reports of a shooting about 5:30 p.m. They were “unable to locate any victims or witnesses,” Officer Kathryn Winters, a spokeswoman and LGBTQ liaison for the department, said in an email to The Washington Post.
“At this time it does not appear that there was any merit to a shooting in the area, and officers remain on scene to ensure safety and security of Pride events,” she said.
Kylie Robison, a San Francisco resident and reporter for the news site Insider, tweeted that she was at the event and saw people “screaming, running, saying there was shots fired.”
She wrote that she started to run with the crowd, adding, “Its just wild to live in a country where we’re all prepared to run or die like that.”
In a message responding to questions about unconfirmed reports on social media of tear gas or bear spray being used by police as crowds ran, Winters said: “There was no shooting, I’m confused as to why you would ask about tear gas. Regardless, the San Francisco Police Department does not use tear gas to disperse crowds.”
She added: “The SFPD does not use tear gas and is not equipped with ‘bear gas.’ Without anything more than vague social media reports we cannot comment further.”
Law enforcement agencies have come under criticism for using tear gas, pepper spray and similar products as crowd-control tools, including at protests in Portland, Ore., and near the White House in 2020. Turkish police used tear gas against participants in a Pride parade in Istanbul last summer.
Canada Day in Ottawa typically means fireworks and celebration downtown, but for events and businesses near Parliament Hill, the shadow of the Freedom Convoy still looms over the first in-person festivities in two years.
“It’s been a lifetime and it feels like it’s last week,” Kevin McHale, executive director of the Sparks Street BIA, said of the time that’s passed since the weeks-long February protest and occupation.
Protest groups — most of which formed out of the Freedom Convoy — have said they plan to hold ongoing demonstrations throughout the summer, starting on June 30 and building toward Labour Day.
McHale said recent protests, including “Rolling Thunder Ottawa” rally, have followed a more traditional trajectory — people come, say their piece and go home.
“I think the bigger concern is what all of the talk of it does for citizens in Ottawa,” he explained.
“The hype that builds around it, that builds concerns, that builds on the anxieties that people have from February. It’s just a lot more pressure on our members to cut through that and it’s very difficult to do so.”
Those fears can quickly turn into one more reason not to visit downtown and stop at a shop or restaurant, McHale added.
The Ottawa Jazz Festival is fielding similar concerns, according to executive producer Catherine O’Grady.
She said attendees and artists have both shared fears about protests, which led to her issuing a statement last week ensuring ticket holders that the event would not be “bullied or threatened by outsiders.”
‘We’re not cancelling our event’
O’Grady said Wednesday that she was drafting another message to performers saying they’ll be safe.
“Good heavens. It’s Canada,” she said. “Why do we have to reassure our artists that are coming from America that they’re going to be safe in the nation’s capital?”
The festival is set to take place during the Canada Day long weekend at Confederation Park, which was the site of a protest supply camp during the convoy.
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When festival organizers originally spoke with the city about support, O’Grady said one of the “initial” reactions from staff was to ask whether they’d consider cancelling.
On Wednesday, following a meeting with police, the producer said she had been assured “every measure” was being put in place to ensure their safety. Police will be on the ground, keeping an eye on access to the park, and suggested making sure all festival trucks were clearly marked as they’ll be stopping vehicles on Queen Elizabeth Drive, she said.
“We’re really relieved to hear all that and of course we’re not cancelling our event,” said O’Grady. “Absolutely not.”
Summer of protests ‘not sustainable’ for police
Police previously said they were aware of the planned protest and were “planning accordingly,” along with Canada Day organizers.
Public safety consultant and former Ottawa police chief Charles Bordeleau said typical Canada Day “taps out” the resources available to police. He suggested the service is likely already reaching out to the RCMP, OPP and others to make sure they have enough officers on hand.
“If you don’t have the resources on the ground to set the tone and to communicate with those that wish to disrupt that this will not be acceptable then you will fail,” Bordeleau said.
Ottawa Morning8:39Veterans 4 Freedom
Several groups — most formed out of the Freedom Convoy — are planning protests and events in Ottawa throughout the summer. Including one that starts today, in the lead up to Canada Day. CBC’s David Fraser explained who’s behind these events – and how police are planning to respond.
Police learned lessons during the convoy, including the need for solid intelligence and the need for boots on the ground, the former chief added, but a summer of protests will be a challenge.
“I think the police service has been clear that it’s not sustainable … because of the number of resources that are required to keep everybody safe,” Bordeleau said.
City is not a ‘soapbox,’ says mayor
Mayor Jim Watson said the city and police are set to hold a press conference Monday outlining their plans for the long weekend.
“My message to people who want to come and celebrate our nation’s birthday is not to be intimidated by individuals who may be coming to Ottawa to cause trouble,” he said after Wednesday’s council meeting.
The behaviour seen during the truck convoy will not be tolerated, Watson added.
“This is not an opportunity for you to use our city as a soapbox for various grievances,” the mayor said. “Let the people of Canada celebrate their nation’s birthday in peace.”
Police officers on horseback ride along Sparks Street, one block away from Wellington Street, where vehicles have been parked to protest COVID-19 rules, Jan. 31, 2022. (Daniel Bouchard/Radio-Canada)
McHale said the February protest was the one time in decades that businesses on Sparks Street closed their doors, but after two hard, pandemic years, that’s not an option now.
He added he’s not overly concerned, though he did have a request for protesters.
“Please don’t scream at people as they’re walking by and interfere in their lives,” McHale said. “That’s all. And if everyone does that, then you can protest and [others] can come and celebrate.”
