NY Gay Pride Parade Unsplash
April 20, 2020 By Allie Griffin
Mayor Bill de Blasio has canceled all parades, concerts, festivals and events in New York City scheduled for June as the coronavirus pandemic continues to change daily life.
De Blasio announced the cancellations at a press briefing from City Hall today– just a week after cancelling all city-permitted May events.
“It’s not a happy announcement, but it’s one we have to make,” he said.
Several prominent events that were scheduled for June have now been cancelled including the Pride Parade — which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year — as well as the Puerto Rican Day parade and the Celebrate Israel parade.
The city is in talks with organizers about finding new dates.
“These kind of community events — we love them, but they’re not what we need right now, they’re not the most essential things,” de Blasio said.
The large events draw thousands of people to a confined area each year — a situation that could lead to quick widespread transmission of the coronavirus, the mayor said.
“We have to also recognize when thousands and thousands of people gather in one place… that goes against everything we’re trying to do with social distancing and shelter in place and everything we’re trying to do to bring ourselves back,” he said.
However, the mayor said many of the events will be held later in the year. He said the event organizers are in discussions with the city officials.
“That joy and pride that all of these events bring… will be back,” de Blasio said. “We’re gonna do it when it’s the right time.”
