Citing security concerns, the organizers of the Fierte Montreal Pride Parade abruptly canceled the Aug. 7 event at the last minute, The Washington Blade reported.
The other events scheduled at the Esplanade of the Olympic ParkT-Dance and the Closing Show with Pabllo Vittartook place as scheduled.
However, despite the cancellation, thousands of people took part along the 2.9-km (1.8-mile) route, The Edmonton Journal noted.
The participants, carrying rainbow flags, gathered at Dorchester Square in the early afternoon at the same meeting point originally planned for the parade. Music was playing on site. They then headed toward Place Emilie-Gamelin amid a festive atmosphere. Interestingly, Montreal police escorted marchers and kept the streets clear on their path.
Montreal Pride Executive Director Simon Gamache confirmed the cancellation of the parade for security reasons, saying the organization was short 80 people, most of whom had been assigned to close streets alongside police. At a news conference on Aug. 7, Mayor Valerie Plante said she was taken aback by the parade's abrupt cancellation.