|
Liverpool Pride 2017 - "Come Out Of The
Shadows"
MERSEYSIDE Police have be light up its force Headquarters
at Canning Place in rainbow colours to support the:- "Come Out Of The
Shadows" event, Liverpool Pride 2017 (#LiverpoolPride #InternationalLove)
on Saturday, 29 July 2017, the building will be illuminated until Sunday, 30
July 2017, the last day of the Liverpool Pride celebrations.
Headquarters will be illuminated in support of our LGBT community along with a
host of iconic landmarks across Merseyside, including:- St George's Hall,
Liverpool Central Library, the Royal Court, Liverpool John Lennon Airport, the
Kop at Anfield, and the World Museum in Liverpool; The Atkinson in Southport;
Crosby Library; the Floral Pavilion in New Brighton and the Steve Prescott
Bridge in St Helens.
In 9 days' time the Chief Constable of Merseyside, Andy Cooke and
the Police and Crime Commissioner Jane Kennedy will be joining officers and
staff from across the force at Liverpool Pride and he will be joined by Deputy
Chief Constable Carl Foulkes, Assistant Chief Constable Ian Critchley, the Black
Police Association, Police Chaplain Lee McCullough and the Dog Section.
Officers taking part in the carnival style parade, which has gone from strength
to strength since it 1st started in 2010, will be in uniform for the march
through the City Centre, with support staff, friends, families, lesbian, gay,
bisexual and trans (LGBT) allies, as well as partner agencies and other
organisations. In 2016 more than 5,000 people attended Liverpool Pride and this
year the organisers are expecting an even bigger record attendance.
This is the eighth year that officers and staff from the force will be taking
part. The force's LGBT support network is organising the attendance of Police
officers and staff taking part and they will march under the banner of
"Police with Pride."
The theme of this year's Liverpool Pride is International Love and the
organisers are hoping that people will take time to reflect on the 72 nations
who have not yet legalised homosexuality and do not recognise LGBT+ communities
- the flags of those 72 nations will be flown alongside Pride flags during the
parade. This year will also see fun packed family day on Sunday, 30 July, in St
Johns Gardens and St George's Plateau, when there will be a programme of events
supplemented with a community zone, childrens' activities, market stalls and a
festival stage featuring live entertainment.
The march is due to begin at St George's Hall Plateau, at 12pm,
with people arriving from 10.30am, and will process through the City Centre
before finishing at St George's Hall Plateau where an afternoon of events will
be held.
The Merseyside Police with Pride car will also be out and proud, and officers
from Community Engagement will have a stall in the marketplace area at St
George's plateau, where they will be available to talk to members of the public
who want to find out more about hate crime, recruitment and the force's insight
scheme where people can join the Police for a day to see what happens.
Chief Superintendent Peter Costello, who is policing the event, said:-
"We're really looking forward to policing Liverpool Pride 2017 and welcoming
everyone taking part and ensuring they enjoy the event and their time in the
City. Officers will be visible throughout the event to help make sure everyone
has a great time and enjoys it safely, but as with any event there are also some
simple steps people can take to help protect themselves and their belongings:-
► Be aware of your surroundings and those around you as Pride will be a really
busy event.
► Take care of your property and keep valuables close; don't leave bags and
mobile phones unattended at any time.
► Keep wallets, purses and cash safe and out of sight.
► Pride is very much a family event so keep children close by as there will be
large crowds.
► If you are going to enjoy the city's renowned pubs,
bars and clubs, please do so safely. Drink responsibly, stick with your friends
and plan your route home and you should have a great time.
Liverpool Pride 2017 promises to be a fantastic day for all and is just 1 of a
host of big events for Liverpool during the summer and I'm confident it will be
a success."
Merseyside Police Chief Constable, Andy Cooke said:- "This
will be the second time I will have taken part in Liverpool Pride and after last
year I know it will be a fantastic event and I'm looking forward to marching
alongside LGBT colleagues from Merseyside Police. It is an opportunity to show
our commitment to helping the communities we serve become places where people
can truly be themselves, free from prejudice and disrcimination. It must be
remembered that Liverpool Pride was first held in memory of Whiston teenager
Michael Causer, who was murdered because he was gay in August 2008. To this day
the Liverpool Pride event is still organised in Michael's memory and is a
reminder that we cannot allow the minority of people, who are motivated by hate
because they resent, disapprove of or are ignorant of diversity, to intimidate
or hurt other people just because they perceive them to be different. By
celebrating diversity through events like Liverpool Pride we can make it clear
that Merseyside Police will not tolerate hate crime of any kind and that those
who commit hate crimes have no place in our communities. I'm looking forward to
taking part in the parade and we will continue to support and work with our LGBT
partners to raise awareness and promote inclusive communities. I hope everyone
enjoys what will undoubtedly will be a very safe and successful Liverpool Pride
2017."
"Merseyside's Police Commissioner Jane Kennedy, said:- "I'm delighted to
be supporting both the Come out the Shadows initiative and the wider Liverpool
Pride 2017 celebrations again this year. These festivities are a great way of
demonstrating what an inclusive, diverse and tolerant community we live in. By
lighting our most recognisable buildings in the iconic rainbow flag we are
sending out a powerful message that we celebrate equality and will not tolerate
disrcimination in any form. This message will resonate even more loudly during
the weekend of Pride when thousands of people will line the streets of Liverpool
to publicly demonstrate their support for the LGBT community and their
commitment to saying no to hatred. We are remembering a young man who was
murdered because he was different. Sadly, members of the LGBT community still
face hate crime on a daily basis and Pride is an opportunity to say that no-one
should ever be targeted or abused because of their sexuality. I hope Pride helps
to give people the confidence to know that if they have been subjected to abuse
or hate that they can speak out in the knowledge they will be listened to,
understood and supported."
Chair of Merseyside Police LGBT Network, Tracy O'Hara, said:- "Since 2010
our Police with Pride contingent has grown. More people want to march and be
visible and proud. I am proud to work for an organisation where I can truly be
me. I know for some this is still not the case and that is why visibility is so
important. Love is love and this year's theme is important when we look at the
lack of rights for LGBT people across the world. That is why I march at Pride
for all those unable or in fear."
More information about the event is available on:-
LiverpoolPride.Co.UK.
|
