Terror Alert Regarding Pride Month Celebrations Issued by FBI, Department of Homeland Security – NBC Chicago

With less than three weeks until Pride Month begins in Chicago, there’s a new warning from the FBI and Department of Homeland Security that celebrations could be targeted for terrorist activity.

In a public notice released late last week, authorities warned that “foreign terrorist organizations or supporters may seek to exploit increased gatherings associated with the upcoming Pride Month in June 2024.”

Chicago’s June Pride celebrations are among the oldest and largest in the country. The annual Pride parade is expected to draw more than a million people to the Lakeview, Uptown and Lincoln Park neighborhoods. This year, the city announced that it was limiting the number of participants in the parade to 150 for logistical and safety reasons.

“It’s a shame that we have to deal with people who are trying to bully and hurt our community and people who are just trying to live a normal life and be accepted,” said Dante Hernandez, who operates a cannabis dispensary on North Halsted Street.

In their public announcement, federal authorities did not name specific targets but pointed to previous attacks in June, such as the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando and the arrest of ISIS sympathizers last year for attempting to attack a Pride parade in Virginia.

Davion Mason said he now expects threats against the LGBTQIA+ community.

“I wouldn’t say this is worse than any other year, but we certainly expect them to come as Pride Month comes around,” he said.

The Chicago FBI said the joint warning from the agency and the Department of Homeland Security is part of a regular effort to encourage the public to remain vigilant when celebrations are observed in public and in large groups.

“There is currently no specific, actionable threat to the Chicago area related to the LGBTQIA+ community or planned public events,” said Special Agent Siobhan Johnson.

NBC Chicago has contacted both the Chicago Police Department and the Office of Emergency Management and Communications but has not yet received a response.

25^Th Ward Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez said he believes the threats against the LGBTQIA+ community come from “extremist groups” who want to see our city in chaos.

He said Chicago does not tolerate hate speech. Sigcho-Lopez is also among a group of city councilors calling on Mayor Brandon Johnson to fire Chicago police officers linked to hate groups in an inspector general report.

As for North Halsted Street business owners, Brent Arms said the new warning won’t cause him to change his plans.

“I’m probably a little more aware, but I don’t change what I do for anyone,” he said.