NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch on Sunday slammed the exclusion of LGBT cops from strolling in uniform with their weapons at Manhattan’s Delight March — earlier than collaborating with a gaggle in Queens’ model.
“As soon as once more, they banned NYPD officers from marching in full uniform later this month,” Tisch mentioned of the Manhattan organizers.
“That call is as hypocritical as it’s a slap within the face to the New York Metropolis Police Division and to the spirit of delight.”
“I name on New Yorkers to affix me in talking out in opposition to Heritage of Delight’s offensive and exclusionary stance on this subject,” she mentioned.
Tisch delivered her scathing feedback earlier than marching within the Queens Delight Parade alongside members of the Homosexual Officers Motion League, who had their weapons with them, insisting the weapons are merely part of their uniform.
The Manhattan occasion organizer, Heritage of Delight, first knowledgeable GOAL in 2021 that its members wouldn’t be allowed to march within the parade in full uniform in response to a wave of George Floyd protests and anti-cop sentiment.
The ban was initially presupposed to final 4 years earlier than the group would rethink its prohibition.
Organizers have maintained that cops can nonetheless march with out their service weapons.
Heritage of Delight mentioned in an announcement that its members voted, “by a large margin,” to not grant GOAL an exception to its coverage this yr.
“As at all times, GOAL members stay welcome to take part within the Delight March, in compliance with our security guidelines and pointers, identical to each different March participant. We proceed to have interaction in dialogue with GOAL and its membership and encourage them to hunt avenues of compromise,” the group mentioned.
“We acknowledge that GOAL marchers and different LGBTQIA+ officers have a need to march brazenly and have fun their twin identities, however our membership has spoken clearly a number of instances now: They need to discover a manner to take action with out their weapons.”
The nonprofit mentioned it will proceed to work with the NYPD and different authorities businesses to keep up security protocols on the occasion June 27, which attracts tens of millions of spectators and marchers.
“We proceed to work carefully with the NYPD and different authorities businesses to make sure security, and we’re grateful for his or her collaboration as we march at this pivotal second for the Delight motion, honoring the legacy of our elders who stood in opposition to NYPD police brutality at Stonewall,” Heritage of Delight added.
It’s the second yr Tisch has rushed to the protection of GOAL officers, having final yr delivered remarks alongside former New York Metropolis Mayor Eric Adams to blast organizers over the rule.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani stopped to greet protesting GOAL officers whereas he was working for workplace throughout final summer time’s Delight March, the New York Occasions reported. Hizzoner has not but made a public assertion on the coverage.
Metropolis Corridor didn’t reply to The Put up’s request for remark.
