CITYnews halifax: Youth arrested for making threats of violence toward Halifax Pride Festival

CITYnews halifax / By Natasha O’Neill

Halifax RCMP arrested a youth in connection with hate-motivated threats made towards the Halifax Pride Festival.

Last week, investigators learned that a youth made violent threats against a specific 2SLGBTQIA+ community event that was upcoming. According to the release, the youth also promoted hatred of a specific group.

Halifax Pride Festival confirmed to CityNews in an email that it is aware of the recent threats made against its event, which is set to take over the downtown from July 16 to 26.

“The safety of our community is our highest priority. Our team has spent months working alongside Halifax Regional Police, emergency services, and our event safety partners to develop comprehensive safety and security plans for the parade,” Fiona Kerr, executive director of Halifax Pride, said in an email. “Those plans are in place and continue to be reviewed as needed throughout the event.”

The organizers will not comment on an active police investigation, but Kerr said, “We want our community to know that we remain in regular contact with our partners and have confidence in the plans that have been developed. At this time, attendees should feel comfortable coming to the festival and celebrating with us.”

Related:

• Groups serving 2SLGBTQIA+ Nova Scotians earn financial bump
• Halifax Pride preparing new route for this year’s festival

On July 11, RCMP arrested the youth, who is expected to face charges related to hate propaganda and making threats.

They were released by officers on conditions before a court appearance. One condition is barring the youth from entering the geographical boundary of the community where the event is expected to take place and from attending organized public gatherings of a certain number of people.

Officials are in contact with the event organizers, and details were shared by the group with Halifax Regional Police to support the safety of attendees.

“The RCMP takes all reports of hate-motivated incidents and hate crimes seriously,” the release notes. “Nova Scotians are asked to report behaviour that appears motivated by bias, prejudice, or hostility to their nearest RCMP detachment or local police.”