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Vancouver police say they will take part in the city’s annual Pride parade, despite a call from the activist group Black Lives Matter for the force to stay away.

Ahead of Sunday’s march, Vancouver Police spokesman Sgt. Randy Fincham indicated the force had not been dissuaded from participating by an open letter asking for them to voluntarily withdraw.

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“We will have a visible police presence both walking in the parade, and securing the parade route,” he said in an email.

As the city launched Pride Week on Monday, Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson and the Vancouver Pride Society acknowledged the controversy.

“I just want to speak to an important development, certainly that we’ve seen across Canada and down south,” said Robertson, telling the crowd he has recently met with local members of Black Lives Matter.

“Everybody’s talking, which is wonderful. We all share common goals of working together toward inclusivity and safety and providing space for marginalized and racialized queer communities here in Vancouver. And solidarity between the communities is truly what we need.”