ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - Just days before downtown St. Louis' Pride parade, the grand marshal is pulling out because uniformed police officers are being allowed in.
The Metro Trans Umbrella Group issued a statement saying it is disappointed in the decision to have uniformed officers march in the parade.
Pride STL had initially banned uniformed officers in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, which began when New York Police raided a gay bar. The group rescinded that decision after talks with city officials.
In the statement, MTUG Executive Director Sayer Johnson says, "Our struggles against police brutality have not ended in the 50 years since Stonewall. Transgender people in our community and throughout the country continue to experience trauma and harassment from police."
You can see the full statement on Facebook, here:
The transgender group is having its own parade Friday in Benton Park West. There's also the Tower Grove Pride Fest in the park on Saturday and the downtown Pride Parade is this Sunday.