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Organizers of the Edmonton Pride festival have banned police officers and military personnel from marching in the future parades, agreeing to the demands of protesters who stalled the event Saturday by blocking the route.

“EPS, RCMP and Military will not march in the parade until the community feels that they have taken the necessary steps for all community members to feel safe with their presence,” the board of directors of the Edmonton Pride Festival Society said in news release.

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“We thank each of our community members … who had the courage to stand up and make sure their voices were heard.”

The board’s statement acknowledged there would be “many differing opinions” on the decision, but said the society had committed to hold community consultations to determine the next steps forward to allow police and military to again participate as parade entrants.

The annual event was set to kickoff at 11 a.m. Saturday, and was to include a number of police officers marching out of uniform for the first time.