DE PERE (NBC 26) — NEW Pride Alive, Brown County's annual LGBTQ+ festival, announced Tuesday it is postponing this year's event "in light of the increasingly charged political climate."
"Our team works tirelessly year-round to create this space, and we share in the deep disappointment felt across the community," NEW Pride Alive organizers said in a Facebook post. "Because our Pride is one of the few that takes place in September, it can draw heightened attention during a time of increased tension. We have a responsibility to ensure our space remains safe and welcoming and empowering for everyone."
NEW Pride Alive says it will share updates as the group determines a new date and venue for the event. The Pride festival is typically held every September at the Brown County Fairgrounds in De Pere. This year's event was scheduled to take place on Sept. 19 & 20.
"We have a responsibility to ensure our space remains safe and welcoming and empowering for everyone," organizers said.
NEW Pride Alive's announcement comes after an increase in political violence across the country. Conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed at an event at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10. His accused assassin — 22-year-old Tyler Robinson — was charged Tuesday. Utah prosecutors are planning to pursue the death penalty against Robinson, according to Scripps News Group.
In July, a federal grand jury indicted the man accused of shooting and killing Democratic Minnesota State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband at their Brooklyn Park home while he was disguised as a police officer. Democratic State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were also shot at their home in the Minneapolis suburb of Champlin. The suspect, 58-year-old Vance Boelter, was indicted in six federal charges in connection to the shootings, according to the Minnesota Department of Justice.
