Montreal Pride beefs up security after Berlin attack kills one

Montreal police and city officials met with Fierté Montréal's executive producer Monday to finalize security measures ahead of the 10-day festival running July 31 through August 9.

The enhanced safety plan comes two days after a van and machete attack at Berlin Pride on Saturday killed one person and injured 29 others. Authorities believe the attack was an Islamic extremist terror attack.

"The events in Berlin deeply sadden us," said Fierté interim general manager Higino Monteiro. "We express our full solidarity with the organization, those affected, their loved ones, and the entire community. We strongly condemn this attack and call for unity within our movements to support our communities and protect the spaces that allow all people to live their identity freely, celebrate, and advocate safely."

Fierté Montréal says nearly 10 per cent of its total budget is allocated to security. Festival organizers are working closely with law enforcement to review security procedures, analyzing "every entrance and passageway."

The Village's pedestrianized zone will be reinforced with additional barriers. At Olympic Park, all festival-goers will pass through a metal detector. For the August 9 parade, 300 security personnel will oversee operations, and police vehicles will block all side streets and emergency overpasses along the parade route to prevent vehicles from entering.