The Commissioner at the Warwickshire Police stand during Warwickshire Pride in 2018.
Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Seccombe has voiced his support for Warwickshire Pride as it takes its annual celebration online for 2020.
Coronavirus restrictions have forced the event to go virtual for the first time in its history, with a series performances, talks and webinars being streamed online via the Warwickshire Pride Facebook, Twitter and You Tube channels.
As in the past two years Mr Seccombe is supporting the event, this time with a video message that will be streamed during the event on Saturday, August 22.
He says: “Warwickshire Pride is a great opportunity to promote equality, diversity and inclusion across the county, so I am pleased that the current restrictions imposed by coronavirus will not stop this important event from going ahead.
“While we can’t meet in person this year, I am sure it will still be a very vibrant and engaging event and one that will prove just as successful.”
In his video address, Mr Seccombe expresses his support for the work that Warwickshire Pride does for LGBTQ+ communities in Warwickshire and his own commitment to working towards a fair and tolerant society for all.
He says: “It’s important for me today to express my gratitude for the work that you all do with Warwickshire Pride and indeed, in the past I’ve had the opportunity and privilege to attend two of your festivals in Leamington Spa and my office has been able to contribute some funds to the good work that you do.
“I believe there is no place for hate within Warwickshire and I will do everything I can to give that support that is needed, and to encourage all of you, if you become a victim of a hate crime or hate incident to report it to the police, who will follow up and try and apprehend any perpetrator of such a crime.”
He adds: “Finally, I’d like to wish all of you a good year ahead and I hope that we can physically meet up next year to further the aims and the aspirations that you so rightly hold dear in your movement.”
You can watch Warwickshire Pride online from 12pm to 6pm on Saturday 22 August at:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/warwickshirepride
Twitter: www.twitter.com/WarksPride
Youtube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCIAQmsJIxNo4fN1B1QPXeiQ
For more about Warwickshire Pride, visit www.warwickshirepride.co.uk
