Heritage of Pride, the organizer of New York City’s annual Pride Parade, has reaffirmed its decision to bar uniformed police officers from marching in this year’s event, marking the fourth consecutive year of the prohibition. The group notified the New York Police Department and the Gay Officers Action League two weeks ago that it would maintain the ban, which was first imposed in 2021 amid nationwide protests over police conduct. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch condemned the move as “deeply offensive” and contrary to the parade’s message of inclusivity. At a press conference she said the policy forces LGBTQ officers to "vanish" while the department is still tasked with securing the march. Mayor Eric Adams likewise questioned the logic of excluding officers whose role is to protect participants, while Rep. Ritchie Torres and other city officials urged organizers to reverse course. Heritage of Pride defended its stance by citing a no-weapons rule that it says applies to all contingents. The group acknowledged the long-standing trauma many LGBTQ New Yorkers associate with law enforcement, dating back to the 1969 Stonewall riots, and invited officers to march out of uniform. The parade is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. Sunday, 29 June, running a 1.8-mile route through Manhattan. Tisch said there are no specific threats but announced an expanded security presence, including additional officers, drones and sanitation trucks to block intersections.