A handful of Wilmington Police Department officers, along with a K-9 officer and Chief Donnie Williams, stood on guard but did not interfere with festivities. Mayor Saffo called the incident “unfortunate”: “This is not a community that tolerates hate.”Ĭity spokesperson Jennifer Dandron told Port City Daily Thursday, when asked about increased police presence for the proclamation signing, active security was always at city hall. Morin was referencing opposition marginalized communities often face on a daily basis and more specifically Tuesday’s Pride Storytime protest at the New Hanover County Pine Valley Library.įBI-labeled extremist group Proud Boys, along with other self-proclaimed Christians, disrupted an event meant to create inclusivity for children under the age of 7. She said she wanted to spread some joy during a time that’s “been rough out there for the people in LGBTQ community.” The LGBTQ Center of the Cape Fear Coast organized the turnout as a way to celebrate and come together, according to executive director Caroline Morin. “It shows this community is about inclusiveness and diversity and I think that’s what this crowd here said today,” Saffo told Port City Daily. Rainbow heart stickers were dispersed, bubbles floated through the air people of all ages, genders, and ethnicities were in attendance. The city decreed June as Pride Month for the third year in a row as Saffo penned his signature to the proclamation.
