After 15 people were arrested at Pride celebrations in Center City earlier this year, there was an immediate call for answers as some attendees complained about excessive force as officers worked to control crowds during the end of the events. And on Wednesday, Philadelphia City Council will hol d a hearing to specifically examine police conduct and planning during the event that happened on June 7, 2026. What happened at Philly’s Pride events? The concerns stem from reports from those who attended a march in Philadelphia’s Gayborhood that claimed officers acted too forcefully with attendees. Social video shared with NBC10 showed people dancing in the street as officers attempted crowd control. The video appears to show an officer pushing a group of people with a bicycle. Moments later, after people began recording the officer with their cell phones, the officer is again seen pushing the bicycle into members of the crowd. State Reps. Andre Carroll and Malcolm Kenyatta have said they have fielded concerns about “over-policing, the use of force, and disrespectful treatment directed toward members of the LGBTQ community” during the Pride events. In fact, following the events at Pride, neighbors have taken to the streets to express concerns with how the event was handled. Following the event, amid community outcry, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker has formed a committee to review what happened that day. “I want everyone to know that I hear you, I see you, and my Administration is taking your concerns seriously,” the mayor said on the creation of this committee. Police say arrests came amid public safety concerns In addressing concerns on police response during Pride, Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said officers “began clearing portions of the area” that evening after “conditions became increasingly challenging to manage safely.” “As crowd sizes increased in the Gayborhood, officers responded to a growing number of public safety concerns, including fights, disorderly behavior, blocked roadways, and the challenges associated with safely managing large crowds in a confined area,” Bethel said in a statement. “Additional resources were redeployed to the neighborhood, including mounted officers, dirtbike units, and MIRT personnel. These units were utilized because they are specifically equipped to move quickly through congested conditions and respond to developing incidents.” Philadelphia Jun 11 Philly leaders seek answers after 15 arrested by police during Pride event Philadelphia Jun 8 Protesters rally after 15 arrested by Philly police during Pride Philadelphia Jun 8 15 arrested after Pride Festival in Philly, police say “As conditions became increasingly challenging to manage safely, a decision was made to begin clearing portions of the area,” Bethel continued. “That decision was not made in any way, shape, or form because people were celebrating Pride. It was made because officers were increasingly dealing with public safety issues and reached a point where we could no longer safely maintain the conditions that existed on those blocks.” In all, 15 people were arrested. Fourteen of these individuals were taken into custody “for disorderly conduct-related offenses, while one individual was arrested for aggravated assault on a police officer,” officials have said. City Council to examine police response at Pride And now, on Wednesday, Philadelphia City Councilmember Rue Landau (Dem., At-Large) will host a hearing that, her office said will “examine police conduct and planning during the June 7, 2026, Pride celebrations in the Gayborhood that took place after crowds gathered following the Pride programming on the Parkway.” In a statement on the hearing, Landau’s office said reviews of photos and videos that circulated online following the Pride events have “raised concerns about the use of force and crowd control tactics.” Members of the city’s LGBTQ community, the mayor’s administration, city councilmembers, along with attendees to the Pride festival, are expected to attend the day’s hearing. Organizers said members of the community will be welcome to share testimony and firsthand accounts of the events that unfolded on June 7, 2026, with the goal of having a “better understanding of the policing of large events” and to look ahead to next year’s Pride events. This hearing will be held at Philadelphia’s City Hall at 10 a.m. on Wednesday. Those who would like to provide testimony can learn more about how to participate in the hearing by clicking here. ...read more read less