The owner of the Orlando nightclub where a gunman killed 49 people, most of them gay, lesbian and bisexual, will speak Friday night at a rally to kick-off Pride festivities in New York City.
Barbara Poma, owner of Pulse, and Neema Bahrami, the club’s entertainment manager, will help lead the annual march on Sunday, riding on the lead float.
A moment of silence will be held, after the names of all 49 shooting victims are read aloud, NYC Pride announced.
One year after welcoming 1.6 million Pride goers, New York City officials said Thursday they expect the largest turnout in Pride history and police have ordered a vastly increased presence compared to past years.
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“You will be safe, you will be protected,” Mayor Bill de Blasio announced. “You’ll see a lot of the same protections that are in place at every Pride parade, and you’ll see more as well. Some will be visible, and there will be other important measures you won’t see.”
