Pride Toronto CEO Condemns Protest as Inappropriate Toronto, Ontario – The CEO of Pride Toronto, Olivia Nuamah, has released a statement denouncing a planned protest at the organization’s annual parade. The protest, organized by a group calling itself “Concerned Citizens for Equality,” is intended to draw attention to what the group alleges is Pride’s exclusion of specific marginalized groups. In her statement, Nuamah expressed her disappointment and concern over the protest, stating that it “is not the place for this type of action.” She emphasized that Pride Toronto is “an inclusive and welcoming space for all members of the LGBTQ2S+ community and their allies.” “Our parade is a celebration of diversity and joy,” Nuamah said. “It is an opportunity for us to come together as a community and to show the world who we are and what we stand for.” Nuamah went on to say that while she respects the right to protest, she believes that the parade is not the appropriate setting for such action. “Our parade is a time for us to celebrate and to show our resilience,” she said. “It is not a time to divide our community or to create conflict.” She also expressed concern that the protest could potentially create a safety risk for attendees, as well as disrupt the enjoyment of the parade for those who have come to celebrate. Nuamah concluded her statement by urging protesters to “find another way to express their concerns.” She invited them to engage in dialogue with Pride Toronto and other community organizations to work towards a more inclusive and equitable society for all.Pride Toronto CEO Ryan K. Connell has stated that the protest against the exclusion of police floats in the Pride parade is “not the place” for such a demonstration. In a statement, Connell said that Pride Toronto is “committed to providing a safe and inclusive space for all members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community” and that “we do not condone any form of hate speech or discrimination.” Connell also said that Pride Toronto has “been working with the Toronto Police Service to address the concerns of the community” and that “we are confident that we can continue to work together to build a more inclusive Pride.” The protest, which was organized by the group Black Lives Matter Toronto, took place on June 25th, the day of the Pride parade. The protesters demanded that Pride Toronto reverse its decision to exclude police floats from the parade, arguing that the move was discriminatory and harmful to the community. Connell’s statement has been met with mixed reactions. Some members of the community have expressed support for Connell’s position, while others have criticized him for not being more supportive of the protest. The debate over police presence at Pride parades is a complex one. Some people believe that police are necessary to ensure the safety of attendees, while others believe that their presence is a reminder of the violence and discrimination that many LGBTQ+ people have experienced at the hands of law enforcement. Pride Toronto has said that it will continue to work with the community to address the concerns that have been raised about police presence at the parade.