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2024-12-07 09:08:41 UTC
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Permalinkan LGBTQ+ pride group to participate in the city's Christmas parade on
Friday, after the mayor initially blocked the group from the annual event
citing unspecified safety concerns.
U.S. District Judge R. Austin Huffaker Jr. ruled that the City of
Prattville violated Prattville Pride's First Amendment right to free
speech and 14th Amendment right to equal protection under the law when it
banned the group from running a float in the annual Christmas parade one
day before the event was set to take place.
The City removed Prattville Pride from the parade based on its belief
that certain members of the public who oppose Prattville Pride, and what
is stands for, would react in a disruptive way. But discrimination based
on a messages content 'cannot be tolerated under the First Amendment,'
Huffaker wrote in his opinion.
The ruling required the city to provide at least two police officers to
escort the float throughout the parade.
On Thursday, Prattville Pride requested additional security measures from
law enforcement. In response, Mayor Bill Gillespie Jr released a statement
banning the group from the parade altogether, citing serious safety
concerns.
Huffaker's ruling said that, leading up to the event, some community
members voiced vehement opposition to the group's inclusion in the
parade, but that the City has presented no evidence of legitimate, true
threats of physical violence.
Gillespie's office referred to a statement posted on the city's social
media in response to a request for comment.
The City respects the ruling of the Court and will comply with its order.
The safety of everyone involved with the parade is a priority, city
officials said in a statement on social media.
Prattville Pride celebrated the ruling on social media.
The Christmas parade is a cherished holiday tradition, and we are excited
to celebrate alongside our neighbors and friends in the spirit of love,
joy, and unity," the group wrote.
Prattville is a small city of about 40,000 people, just north of the
capital of Montgomery.
https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/federal-judge-rules-alabama-city-gay-
pride-float-116544494