CHICAGO (CBS)—Tens of thousands of people came out on Sunday to celebrate the last day of Pride Month Chicago’s 53rd Annual Pride Parade.
The event brought fun and love to part of the city’s north side.
It is one of the largest parades in Chicago and draws most of the city. This year the message among the crowd was unity.
Thousands of people lined Northalsted with flags, floats, music and of course fans to celebrate Pride.
“I absolutely love Pride because everyone is so inclusive. It’s fun to come with my friends and see people all coming together,” said parade participant Trinity Kellogg.
She is one of thousands who gathered to celebrate and says this year has a different meaning.
“With everything going on, I feel like it’s great for all of us to unite and have all these people together,” she said.
The unity in Nothalsted was clearly visible as pro-Israel supporters marched in the parade to make their voices heard, and hundreds of pro-Palestinian supporters ended the parade.
Chicago police were in full force – on the ground and in the air – to ensure no protests broke out.
“We want our children to grow up with the best of humanity. And the best it has to offer. And we are fortunate to do this in a community where we live and where we raise our family,” Luke said. Sauer, resident.
Luke and Lauren Sauer live nearby and say it’s important to bring their son Hayden to the party.
“We made a conscious decision to raise our kids in this neighborhood; we love the diversity; we love the normalization of just different colors and people and shapes and sizes,” Lauren said.
Love was in the air as a mother came with a sign to support her daughter and her fiancé. The friends also showed up and showed up.
“We’re getting married in September, so it feels great to see them walking around with the P flags and supporting both of us and supporting our love, our identities, and being here to show them and these are all our friends,” Robin Berman said.
“This is awesome. By far the best Pride. No rain this year. Happy Pride,” said Kim Eagles, a parade participant.
While the parade is over, many people are still enjoying the last day of Pride.
