US: Trans Pride LA evacuated due to bomb threat
200 people were evacuated from the Trans Pride LA festival on Saturday night, due to a bomb threat.
The two-day event – which was due to conclude with a film screening at the LA Gay and Lesbian Center’s Renberg Theatre – was evacuated by police shortly before 9pm on Saturday.
The organisers of the festival said in a statement: “We at Trans Pride L.A. regret the situation that abruptly ended yesterday’s event, shortly before it was scheduled to conclude. It saddens us greatly that the day had to end on a negative note.
“The Los Angeles Police Department notified us that an anonymous person called in a bomb threat, identifying the Renberg Theatre as the target. It was our second bomb threat of the day, the first of which just referenced Trans Pride.
“After the first threat, police and security immediately conducted a sweep of The Village and found no reason for concern.
“The second threat came later in the evening, at a time when close to 200 people were in the theatre enjoying the Los Angeles Transgender Film Festival’s short film program.
“Out of an abundance of caution and with input from the LAPD, we made the decision to evacuate the theatre. Fortunately, a subsequent security sweep determined there was no explosive device.
“Our apologies to the filmmakers and everyone else inconvenienced by someone’s hateful and disruptive actions. We truly regret that this put a damper on an otherwise glorious day of joy and celebration.”
According to the Examiner, an LAPD Spokesperson confirmed that six units were dispatched to deal with the incident.
