JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Foreign terrorists’ groups and their supporters may be planning an attack on LGBTQ related events during the month of June, which is Pride Month.
Organizers of the events say they’ve faced challenges before and won’t let that stop them from celebrating their diversity.
READ: 2024 Pride Month Warning
The June 12, 2016, Pulse nightclub attack resulted in the deaths of 49 people in Orlando. That’s one of the reasons why federal law enforcement are concerned.
FBI agents say following the shooting, pro-ISIS messaging praised the attack that was carried out by a man who had pledged his allegiance to the Islamic State.
It’s just one of the reasons why the FBI and DHS issued a public service announcement, warning of potential attacks on soft targets and LGBTQ focused events.
News4JAX spoke with Kristina Bozanich who is the organizer of this year’s “Proud in the Cloud” event in St. Cloud, on June 8.
“I did inform our committee and some who are part of this community, and they said this is just a normal thing for us, something we face everyday. So, unfortunately, that’s kind of a norm to get those kind of scares. For me being an ally, I don’t experience that as often. So, I always take it very seriously, but the LGBT community is very hardy, they’re strong, they’re warriors,” she said.
Bozanich had to cancel last year’s Pride event in St. Cloud after Governor DeSantis signed legislation banning children from attending drag shows. She says entertainers were also afraid for their safety at the time.
A federal court has blocked that law, and this year, Bozanich has hired private security. She also says she has the support of the St. Cloud Police Department.
“So, our security is the local law enforcement. The Chief of Police is very much on board and supportive. He was, I believe, an officer at the Pulse shooting,” Bozanich said.
The FBI’s warning did not specify a location or indicate the agencies were tracking any specific threat. But, investigators did note that February of last year, ISIS messaging focused against the growth of the LGBTQ community.
News4JAX Crime and Safety Analyst, Tom Hackney, who has more than 20 years in law enforcement with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office says the FBI’s warning is something police will react to by putting more manpower on the streets at local events.
“I can honestly say that law enforcement in general, when they received these kind of warning notices from the FBI, that will step up manpower, and put the officers on the streets, put the officers at these events, because, an ounce of prevention is so much better. And if it takes a couple extra officers pulled from one location to another, to be there to ensure everyone’s safety, they’re going to do that, especially in light of this kind of notice and the potential threat that exists,” he said.
The FBI says possible indicators of potential threat activity include the unusual surveillance of building and restricted areas. Right now, there are nearly a dozen parades, festivals and events scheduled throughout Northeast Florida to celebrate Pride Month.