Marchers, allies celebrate at the 5th-annual SGV Pride Parade and Festival in Alhambra, Monterey Park

About 100 people wearing rainbow shirts and waving LGBTQ Pride flags marched from Mark Keppel High School in Alhambra to Barnes Park in Monterey Park Saturday, June 7, as part of the fifth-annual SGV Pride Parade and Festival.

Many were concerned about recent ICE raids in L.A. Friday of businesses with immigrant employees. “A lot of people are afraid and some did not want to come out,” said Monica Grimm, a marcher with the group Free Mom Hugs. “They can’t have the government telling them who they are. They are taking away their rights.”

Marchers walked with big smiles on the sidewalk along Hellman and Garfield avenues, drawing honks and cheers. There were no incidents, organizers reported.

Loni Shibuyama Simone, who marched with her wife, Debra Shibuyama Simone, said they had been to the Pride festival in West Hollywood but prefer this one.

“It is important to support your community where you live, especially in light of the current political climate,” said Debra.

Tammy Scorcia, a member of the Alhambra Teachers Association, started the march in 2020. “Every year we are going to get louder and prouder,” she said at the march kickoff. “We are not going to stop supporting our community, our students and our families.”

At Barnes Park, Monterey Park and state representatives spoke in favor of LGBTQ rights.

““Remember, together we are united. No one can defeat us,” said Councilmember Henry Lo. The event is part of a 12-stop “Pride Tour” put on by the SGV LBGTQ Center based in El Monte.