Capital Pride announced it will review security measures for Ottawa's upcoming parade and festival following a deadly weekend terrorist attack at a Pride event in Berlin, Germany.
German authorities reported that a 21-year-old German citizen drove a vehicle into a crowd on Saturday night during Berlin's annual celebrations before stabbing bystanders with a machete.
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The attack left one person dead and 29 others injured before police killed the suspect following a nearly 24-hour search.
David Breault, chair of Capital Pride's board of directors, addressed the impact of the attack on the community.
"[Pride is] about celebrating people's identities, being able to go be out and proud. And to have that marred with something this horrific is heartbreaking," he said.
Organizers have gradually heightened security over recent years due to festival growth and escalating anti-2SLGBTQ+ sentiment.
Breault stated that the group plans further discussions in the coming weeks to finalize potential security changes.
"Unfortunately, by virtue of it being Pride, we plan for this kind of thing. But of course we hope it doesn't happen," Breault said.
The international incident occurred during the launch of Chez Nous, a new independent Pride festival in Ottawa organized by and for 2SLGBTQ+ Africans and newcomers.
The event featured a weekend schedule including a ball at SAW Gallery on Saturday alongside performance and information showcases at McNabb Park on Sunday.
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