[taco.vidal]

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2016/07..._11026580.html

Black Lives Matter Vancouver Wants Police Float Out Of Pride Parade

CP | By Laura Kane, The Canadian Press
Posted: 07/17/2016 11:24 am EDT


VANCOUVER — Black Lives Matter Vancouver is asking police to voluntarily withdraw their float from the upcoming Pride Parade, as a "show of solidarity and understanding'' that officer involvement in the march creates an unsafe atmosphere for some communities.

The open letter published by the activist group on Friday comes weeks after its Toronto counterparts halted the city's parade until organizers signed off on a list of demands including banning police floats from future marches.

The Vancouver chapter said it stands with Black Lives Matter Toronto in its discontent with police marching in the parade.

While having police on the ground to perform a civil service is understandable, allowing officers to participate on a float is "insulting'' to protesters who made Pride celebrations possible, it said.