Pride celebrations come to Ballymena with road closures and police safety measures in place

Mid and East Antrim Pride is taking place in Ballymena town centre today, Saturday 28 June.

To facilitate the event, a number of temporary road closures will be in effect from 1:50pm until 3:30pm, impacting parts of the town centre while the Pride parade proceeds.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has confirmed an increased police presence throughout the event to ensure the safety and wellbeing of everyone in attendance.

“Police would remind everyone to follow the instructions of officers, respect others and follow our advice on protests and parading available online,” a spokesperson said.

The Mid and East Antrim Pride parade will set out at 2:00pm from Waveney Road, before proceeding along Galgorm Road, Lower Mill Street, Wellington Street, Broughshane Street, William Street, Ballymoney Street, and ending at Greenvale Street at approximately 3:00pm.

The NI Parades Commission has also been notified of four protest events planned for Saturday afternoon, including groups from Gospel Bus Ministry, New Dawn Church, Ballymena Free Presbyterian Church, and United Christian Witness.

The PSNI emphasised the significance of Pride for members of the LGBT+ community and reiterated its commitment to supporting individuals who may be affected by hate crimes related to sexual orientation or gender identity.

“Pride is an important event for those in our community who identify as LGBT+ and for those who want to show support for our LGBT+ community,” the statement added.

“We want members of our LGBT+ communities in Mid and East Antrim to feel represented by their Police Service and to know that if they come forward to report an incident, they will be met with fairness and respect, particularly if they have been subject to hate crime in any form.”

The police have encouraged the public to familiarise themselves with official guidance related to protests and parading, which can be found on the PSNI website: Protests and Parading Guidance.

For information on how the PSNI supports victims of hate crime based on sexual orientation or gender identity, visit: PSNI Hate Crime Support.

As Ballymena hosts the Pride celebrations, organisers and authorities alike are calling on attendees and the wider public to uphold a spirit of respect, unity, and inclusion.