The controversial Prattville Pride Christmas Parade float has been pulled from the event, Mayor Bill Gillespie said in a statement, citing safety concerns for Prattville Pride, participants and attendees.
The Prattville area has been in an uproar after it was revealed that the local non-profit, Prattville Pride, was putting together a float for the Christmas parade, promising it would be "the gayest and merriest ever."
Leadership for the group later revealed that the float would include a drag queen performer.
After the Prattville city attorney cautioned the city council not to intervene, citing First Amendment concerns, the float's inclusion in the parade seemed all but assured. However, in the aftermath, at least one parade participant, St. Joseph's Catholic Church, announced it was pulling out of the parade due to the pride float.
On Thursday, Mayor Gillespie issued a statement to a local outlet stating that the city chose to remove the float, citing safety concerns for Prattville Pride and residents.
"This morning, it was brought to the City's attention from Prattville Pride that there are serious safety concerns regarding Prattville Pride's participation in the Christmas parade," Gillespie said. "Until today, there has only been conjecture and speculation regarding potential safety concerns that Prattville Pride's participation in the parade may cause. The City will not put the rights of parade participants ahead of the safety of its citizens. Because of the safety concerns for Prattville Pride, other parade participants, as well as parade bystanders, the City has made the decision to remove Prattville Pride from the Christmas parade. This decision was made with careful thought and consideration while balancing the rights of parade participants against the overall safety of everyone involved at the parade. The City will always respect freedoms and rights of expression. However, as in this instance, it must put the overall safety of its citizens first."
Gillespie did not elaborate on the nature of the safety concerns or if the decision to withdraw the float was mutual.
Social media, specifically local Facebook groups, have been divided on the issue since it came to light. Many opposed expressed disgust and displeasure at the float's inclusion in an ostensibly religious holiday celebration. Those supportive of the inclusion have likewise criticized those opposed, with accusations ranging from religious bigotry to outright hate.
Some residents on social media claimed the Prattville Parks and Recreation Department was telling residents who asked that there was no drag queen slated to participate in the parade.
It is still unclear how many participants withdrew from the parade over the Pride float. 1819 News requested comment from the Prattville Parks and Recreation Department but did not receive a callback.
Gillespie told 1819 News that he had not "requested any information" on participants who decided to withdraw from the parade over the float.
Clean Up Alabama, the group founded out of the Prattville library controversy, has been spearheading efforts to have the float removed from the parade. After Gillespie's announcement, the group released the following statement:
"We've been vocal about our concerns with Prattville Pride being allowed to sexualize the Prattville Christmas Parade, but threats and violence are unacceptable. Clean Up Alabama does not condone threats or violence. We continue to pray for those we disagree with and hope the authorities will deal with this situation appropriately."
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
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