Hundreds of thousands of revellers joined Amsterdam's canal parade for WorldPride, celebrating LGBT identity despite recent security concerns.
Hundreds of thousands of revellers lined Amsterdam's canals on Saturday for the flagship event of WorldPride, a boisterous celebration of LGBT identity. The event served as a significant milestone, marking 25 years since the city hosted the world's first legally recognized same-sex marriage. Participants and organizers expressed that the celebration was particularly urgent following a deadly attack on Berlin's Pride last week, where a van was driven into a crowd, leaving one person dead and over 30 injured. Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten attended the event, while police officers patrolled via bicycles, jet skis, and boats to ensure safety. Mayor Femke Halsema noted that the city implemented extra security measures in response to the Berlin attack. Despite the increased security, organizers emphasized that the goal remains inclusivity. Martijn Albers, a spokesperson for Amsterdam Pride, stated that the aim of terrorism is to spread fear, but the community must not give in to it. Attendees like Tré Shawn Griffin and Julianne van der Heide highlighted that the recent violence only reinforces the importance of Pride celebrations.