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SAN FRANCISCO, June 26 (Xinhua) -- San Francisco Pride, an annual event that ran into the 46th year, ended on Sunday without major security incidents as more law enforcement officers were deployed.
With heavy police presence along the parade route, from the U.S. west coast city's water front to a plaza in front of the city hall, tens of thousands of people took part in or witnessed the event unfold, from mid-morning to mid-afternoon.
In the wake of a terrorist attack in Orlando, Florida, two weeks ago, metal detectors were used for the first time at San Francisco's Civic Center Plaza, which was sealed off for a series of activities organized by Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) groups.
The Orlando attack, at a gay nightclub, resulted in 49 deaths and 53 injuries, putting pride parade organizers in cities around the United States on high alert. In San Francisco, where the parade is one of most famous annual events attracting national and international attentions, the Police Department sent about 25 percent more officers this year than last year onto the street.
Along the parade route of 3.4 kilometers, at least two male suspects were wrestled to the ground in separate incidents by uniformed officers. The Police Department did not explain as of Sunday afternoon what triggered the arrests and whether there would be charges against the suspects.
Organizers initially expected 300,000 people to show up at San Francisco Pride. However, some observers on the scene estimated the turnout number to be lower, probably due to added security procedures, such as going through metal detection checks, that kept some local residents at home.
