Atlanta Black Pride organizers outline security plans for finale concert

ATLANTA — Thousands of people are in town specifically for Atlanta Black Pride Weekend.

The festival kicked off on Wednesday, but the big event is the Sunday finale concert when over 20,000 people are expected to show up at Piedmont Park.

Channel 2′s Larry Spruill spoke with organizers who told him people can expect a good, safe time.

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“They can expect a good, good time but a good, safe time,” said Melissa Scott, Atlanta Black Pride Weekend Managing Partner.

That’s what the weekend is all about. People will have fun, but they will be safe while doing so.

“We’ve taken a lot of precautions. We’ve put a lot of work in, making sure, working with the APD, working with the city, to make sure everyone is safe physically,” Scott said.

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There have been concerns with large events at the park due to Georgia’s gun laws. Earlier this summer, sources told Channel 2 that Music Midtown canceled its plans largely due to safety concerns with people carrying guns at large events at the park.

That’s why Scott said they’re taking the extra measures.

“We’ve met with the city several times. We’ve hired 45 officers. They gave us an extensive security plan that we put in place to make sure everyone is safe,” Scott said. “We’ve hired external security in addition to the APD. We’re ready. We have bicycle officers coming, we have the cop cars coming. We have walking officers coming.”

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