A Statement on the 2025 Pride Block Party Safety Plan

Safety is our highest priority as organizers. 

Over the past year, we worked to create a detailed safety plan that begins with our community security team. This group of trained volunteers, professional de-escalators, and licensed medical professionals will act as our first response to any incidents that occur within the event.

The institution of law enforcement is harmful, and we recognize that the police have caused immeasurable trauma for the BIPOC, queer, and trans communities. 

After last year's event, we were told that because of the projected attendance for the 2025 block party, city code requires us to work within the public safety system for the event. In short, this means we have to have VPD on site this year in order for our event permit to be granted.

When we learned this, we began engaging with the individual officers that would be involved, and hosted a series of monthly workshops, meetings, and forums, the largest being held on November 12th, March 19th, and May 28th. Over the course of these events, we engaged with 100+ local queer, trans, and BIPOC leaders and community members, as well as the City of Vancouver's Office of Equity and Inclusion and members of the Vancouver Police Department. We had heated and often uncomfortable but necessary conversations. We asked tough questions,  educated ourselves on VPD protocol and policies, and demanded accountability.  After each of these events, the majority of participants shared with us that they had a better understanding of the position we are in, gained familiarity with details specific to Vancouver police, and felt overall more reassured. 

Together, we created a plan that includes minimal VPD presence focused on the perimeter of the event and providing logistical support while deferring to organizers to handle anything short of a true public safety emergency. They will be dressed in uniforms and bright yellow vests to make them extremely visible. We are using every resource available to us to ensure a safe event. 

While these few officers will be onsite, Vancouver Police will not have a dedicated booth. Representatives from the city's Safe Zone project (some of whom have helped with our open forums throughout the last year) will have a booth set up in partnership with the city's Rainbow Brigade. 

We recognize the discomfort around VPD being present this year. We are committed to remaining transparent, listening to community members and taking your words to heart. In the midst of building the world we deserve, we remain focused on serving our community.

The Pride Block Party was created for all members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and this will never change. We hope you will all join us on Saturday for what is sure to be a beautiful day filled with queer joy, love, and connection.

In solidarity,
Board of Directors
Queer Community Network