Meow expressed hope that SF Pride would be able to find a different solution for next year’s event. Other grand marshals and honorees applauded Johnson, Black Lives Matter, and the St James Infirmary. We stand here today in support and solidarity of all of our honorees and grand marshals, including Black Lives Matter.” “I will be missing some of you, but I know this is the beginning of something that we’re going to do in San Francisco. “Increasing police presence in our community is not the solution,” she said. SF Pride board president Michelle Meow appeared to accept and even endorse the withdrawals. “We know that some people will feel safe at Pride, but we will not.” “The San Francisco police department has proven time and again – by racially profiling and murdering black people, black trans people – that they cannot keep us safe,” said Shanelle Matthews, a spokesperson for Black Lives Matter, at the event. Johnson announced her decision to withdraw at an emotional SF Pride press conference held Friday morning, expressing concern about the impact an increased police presence would have on homeless residents of downtown San Francisco.
Glee actor Alex Newell at San Francisco’s gay pride parade in 2013.
