(WBBM NEWSRADIO) – A year after controversy rocked Aurora's Pride Parade, organizers say they can move forward with plans for next month's event, now that a federal judge has ruled in their favor.
Aurora Pride President Gwyn Ciesla said the ruling gives the organization some certainty.
"Under the ordinance as it stood, there was uncertainty as to the number of police officers that might be available and how much overtime might be charged for that and how much would be our responsibility,” Ciesla told WBBM Newsradio on Friday.
"And with this injunction, the city can no longer refuse to grant us a permit because of a lack of officers. That's something they're to be responsible for."
Ciesla says the rule for parade marchers is the same as last year: Police officers cannot march in full uniform. That rule set off a controversy, and city officials said they couldn't get enough officers to work security. The event eventually went on, as planned, with pay incentives.
"The city has been actively working for months to plan a safe and successful event. As a result, the parade is adequately staffed with police officers and will commence on Sunday, June 11,” the city said in a news release.
"I have no objection to paying city employees or police officers for the excellent work they do,” Ciesla said. “It's just a question of, there shouldn't be leverage over whether or not we get to have an event or get to hold an event based on the message we have."
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