On Saturday, right before a gay pride parade was set to start, a driver in a pickup truck hit at least two people, killing one and hurting another. A third might have been hit, though he was reported as stable. Democrat Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL), who was sitting in a convertible, was also nearly hit, it was witnessed and reported.
While behind other floats, the driver went forward and hit the two people, also hitting a gate and going into a plant nursery.
The victims and the driver were all members of the Ft. Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus.
“Our prayers are with the people who suffered from this accident that happened during the Stonewall Pride Parade,” Justin Knight, the chorus’ president, stated in a comment. ,,“Our fellow members were among those hurt and the driver was also in the Chorus. As far as I know, this was not an attack against LGBTQ people. We expect more information to come and request your love and your support.”
Though she was shaken and almost hit by the vehicle, the congresswoman was not harmed, as she said over Twitter.
I want to thank our first responders for their heroic efforts as both police and emergency medical personnel stepped into action quickly.
— Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (@RepDWStweets) June 20, 2021
We’re praying for the victims and their loved ones as law enforcement investigates, and I am providing them with whatever assistance I can. I am so heartbroken by what took place at this celebration. May the memory of the life lost be for a blessing.
— Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (@RepDWStweets) June 20, 2021
Also there at the parade was Democrat Ft. Lauderdale’s Mayor, Dean Trantalis, who couldn’t wait for facts before trying to push a narrative.
“This was a terrorist attack on LGBT Americans., he said. “It was not an accident. It was done on purpose and targeted against a certain individual. They did not hit that person, but they did hit the other two people.”
Again, the driver said it was accident, with he and the victims all belonging to the same group, and police not yet sharing any facts about the case to deny any such claims from the Democratic mayor.
https://twitter.com/IanMargolWPLG/status/1406390440597901313
While police were not able to get there quickly at the scene, it is worth reminding that NYC Pride has barred police from its parades until 2025. Even after members changed their mind, the NYC Pride board nevertheless made the decision to still keep cops away.
Author: Scott Dowdy
