NEW HAVEN, Conn. — Police are investigating a bomb threat made to the New Haven Pride Center on Saturday evening.
New Haven police said they received a 911 report at 12:30 p.m. about a circulated email targeting the Gay Pride Center bomb threat. The email said a bomb was placed and would be activated at 1:00 pm in the hundredth block of Orange Street. New Haven police, New Haven fire, and ambulances responded.
The DaVita Dialysis Center is one floor above and patients had to be evacuated into AMR ambulances.
Many downtown streets were closed, and some buildings directly across and adjacent were evacuated.
Others were asked to stay in place as the NHPD Hazardous Device Team and dogs searched the area. The area is now deemed safe as of 1:45 p.m.
"I mean, we're we're a little shaky. I think regardless of whenever you get something like this, it shakes you a little bit and reminds you that that, you know, LGBTQ people are under attack across our entire country," said executive director, Juancarlos Soto. There's a race and LGBTQ rhetoric and rhetoric and violence against LGBTQ people. You know, I think it also reminds us of the importance of safe spaces, you know, and how even in 2023, we have so much to fight still for our community and make sure that we are safe."
"I think it has the opposite effect of what this person intended, right. Because it bolsters your your your strength to continue to fight for a community. And it it puts us on the path to to to just keep going, said Soto.
New Haven police are now investigating.
West Hartford Pride released a statement afterwards in solitary with the New Haven center:
"West Hartford Pride stands strongly with our friends at the New Haven Pride Center, its staff, and the New Haven Community. At West Hartford Pride, our motto is STAND AGAINST HATE. When one of us is attacked, we are all attacked.
This despicable act is one of hate and cowardice. We applaud the New Haven Pride Center for their quick actions to keep everyone safe, and their commitment to continuing to serve their community. We look forward to standing with the New Haven Pride Center at a rescheduled Pride Celebration. When we stand together in defiance of hatred and bigotry, we are stronger."
Rachel Simon, Executive Director of the Triangle Community Center said in a statement:
This is a chilling reminder of the work we still have to do here in CT. We at TCC join our New Haven family in condemning this kind of hate. Our commitment to creating supportive spaces for our queer and trans community remains strong.
Joint statement by Mayor Justin Elicker and New Haven Pride Center Executive Director Juancarlos Soto issued a joint statement on Monday
“New Haven is a welcoming and inclusive city where LGBTQ+ individuals can experience acceptance and belonging.
While this act of hate is a stark reminder that LGBTQ+ individuals face adversity and discrimination every day, it only deepens our resolve to be a city that embraces all individuals regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
An attack on the New Haven Pride Center is an attack on all of us, and we stand united and resolved towards building a city that is a beacon of belonging, love and hope for the LGBTQ+ community.
The pride flag will continue to be raised on the New Haven Green until the New Haven Pride Block Party is rescheduled, and we look forward to joining our fellow New Haven residents in coming together to celebrate New Haven’s LGBTQ+ community.
We’re also confident the New Haven Police Department, working with other law enforcement partners, will do everything they can to identify the individual who committed this act and hold them accountable for their actions.”
---
Have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com
----
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
Steam Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.