MIAMI, Florida – Several people were run over and at least one died after a truck ran over them this Saturday afternoon while the traditional gay pride parade, Stonewall Pride Parade and Street Festival, took place in Wilton Manors, Broward.
Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis warned that people were hit by a white pickup truck that was purposely trying to push its way through the crowd. While describing the incident as a terrorist attack on the LBGTQ community.
The car of Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who was present at the event, was inches from the truck involved in the incident and whose driver was immediately detained.
“I am deeply shocked and devastated by the loss of a life and others seriously injured in the Wilton Manors Pride Parade … My staff, volunteers and I are, thankfully, safe,” said the congresswoman a few minutes after the incident.
“I want to thank our first responders for their heroic efforts as both the police and emergency medical personnel quickly took action,” acknowledged Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who said she was praying “for the victims and their loved ones while law enforcement investigated.” what happened.
The incident took place at the corner of Southwest 15th Street and Northwest 4th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale police clarified on their Twitter account.
Wilton Manors, in Broward County, is known for being one of the main cities in the United States with the largest homosexual population.
Wilton Manors City Commissioner Chris Caputo said: “Two people were run over by a man in a truck at the start of the parade. He had pride flags on his truck, so it is unclear if it was intentional.”
In his statement released through his Twitter account, Commissioner Caputo said that it is “too early to know the condition of the two people who were beaten.”
So far the health status and identity of those involved is unknown. It is only known that the parade was suspended because the authorities were in the area trying to clarify what happened.
COMMUNITY REACTIONS
After the violent events this Saturday in the city of Wilton Manors, South Florida leaders came out to give their support to the LGBTQ + community in what they consider an unfortunate event.
After learning that two people had been run over, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried said “we are praying for them and their families,” while remarking “our hearts are broken, we continue to pray that no more innocent lives are lost.”
For her part, Miami Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said she was “devastated by the loss of life during what should be a celebration of love in the heart of the South Florida LGBTQ community. Praying for the families of the victims.” .
“Hatred of any kind has no place in our community,” warned Miami-Dade state attorney Katherine Fernández-Rundle, who also added in her social media post that she was “waiting and praying for the injured to recover. quickly”.
GAY PRIDE FESTIVAL
The regularly held event each year and typically attracting more than 35,000 spectators, has an economic impact of more than $ 1 million for the City of Wilton Manors.
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“Our twilight parade themed ‘Out of the Dark, Into the Light’ is a great way for businesses to get involved, have fun, and thank the LGBTQ + community for their loyalty and support,” said Jeff Sterling, CEO of WMEG Community Marketing and Events that organizes the annual celebration.
The street festival with music and vendors began this Saturday at 3 pm followed by the parade that closes the event at the end of the day. Stonewall Pride celebrates the historic Stonewall riots and the start of the LGBTQ + rights movement.
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