FBI warns that foreign terrorists could target Pride month events. Is Columbus prepared?

With LGBTQ Pride Month in June and the accompanying festivities weeks away, national law enforcement officials are warning that foreign terrorists could target Pride celebrations.

In a May 10 joint public service announcement, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Homeland Security said that foreign terrorists might exploit LGBTQIA+ celebrations, as the organizations have discussed targeting the community in the past.

Local organization Stonewall Columbus hosts the Columbus Pride March and accompanying festival each year, which draws 800,000 people to the city. The event is set to take place the weekend of June 15 this year.

Stonewall Executive Director Densil Porteous said the organization is aware of the potential threats and the warnings.

"We take these concerns very seriously, just as we take safety seriously every year during this event," Porteous said in a statement.

Porteous said Stonewall constantly communicates and monitors threats with local and national law enforcement agencies, including the Columbus Police Department and the FBI.

"There is an immense amount of consideration when it comes to public safety," said Zac Boyer, Stonewall director of community programs, in a previous conversation with The Dispatch about the Pride march.

Security is Stonewall Columbus Pride March's largest expense

The largest expense for the weekend is paying Columbus Division of Police officers, said Boyer, whose pronouns are they/them.

"Our city does not offer those services for free," they said. In addition, Stonewall Columbus works with private security officers who are trauma-informed and are often people of color and queer people, Boyer said.

"There is an immense amount of planning," when it comes to safety, they said.

Cass Helm, a Pride event coordinator with Stonewall, said there is an entire emergency plan for the weekend.

"We've thought of every single piece of it," she said. "What we can do is create the most safe space we can. I think we've done that. I think we continue to do that."

More than 20,000 people and groups have registered to march in the parade, which steps off at 10:30 a.m. at the corner of Broad and High streets on June 15.

The organization can't discuss specifics of its safety plans publicly, Porteous said, but the safety and security of everyone is its top priority.

"We work to have comprehensive measures in place, including increased security personnel, strategic planning and coordination with emergency services, and ongoing risk assessments to respond to a variety of scenarios that may arise," Porteous said. "We understand the importance of not only celebrating our identity and history but doing so in a safe and secure environment. Please rest assured that we are committed to hosting a safe and inclusive event for everyone."

Stonewall Columbus encourages the community to be vigilant of surroundings and ensure that Pride is safe and joyful for all, Porteous said.

Why the FBI warning?

The FBI and DHS issued the threat warning in part because it is "compounded by the current heightened threat environment in the United States and other western countries," the announcement stated.

It said foreign terrorist organizations or their supporters may seek to "exploit increased gatherings associated with the upcoming June 2024 Pride Month."

In February 2023, ISIS messaging focused on anti-LGBTQIA+ rhetoric and rallied against the community's growth, according to the government announcement. At the same time, followers were encouraged to attack unidentified targets, though they were not specifically LGBTQIA+ related, the announcement said.

Was ISIS involved in the Pulse Nightclub Orlando shooting?

The FBI/DHS announcement noted that June 12 is the eighth anniversary of the Pulse Nightclub Orlando shooting, which ended with 49 people dead and 53 wounded.

Following the shooting, pro-ISIS messages praised the attack and foreign terrorist organizations celebrated it, according to the announcement.

Last year, in June, three alleged ISIS sympathizers were arrested for trying to attack a Vienna, Austria Pride parade with knives and a vehicle.

The FBI said violent threats could be made online, in person or via the mail.

The announcement suggested visiting the Nationwide Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR) Initiative (NSI) website for more information, resources and training at www.dhs.gov/nationwide-suspicious-activity-reporting-initiative.

Threats can be reported to local FBI field offices or Homeland Security.

dking@dispatch.com

@DanaeKing

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Stonewall Columbus Pride March hosts respond to FBI warning of threats