Minneapolis Police Chief Disappointed by Gay Pride Parade
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minneapolis Police Chief Janee Harteau says she is "beyond disappointed" that she was not consulted before organizers of the Twin Cities Pride Parade asked police to minimize their participation in Sunday's event.
Harteau sent a letter Thursday to Twin Cities Pride executive director Dot Belstler, calling the decision "divisive" and saying it "really hurt so many in our community," including LGBT officers and their families.
Parade organizers cited tensions over last week's acquittal of an officer in the fatal shooting of black driver Philando Castile during a traffic stop.
In her letter, Harteau says she struggles to see "how this decision helps our community heal." Harteau, who is the first openly gay police chief in Minneapolis, points out that she was the parade's grand marshal three years ago.
A spokeswoman for Twin Cities Pride said the group is preparing a response later Thursday.
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