The much-anticipated Johannesburg Pride will go ahead as planned, despite a terror alert issued by the U.S. Embassy, with the organisers saying the LGBTQI+ community lives under constant attack by homophobic persons and the threat of being arrested in most African countries.

In a statement, the organisers urge everyone that had planned to attend the 33rd march this Saturday to remember why and how it began.

On Wednesday afternoon an alert was issued by the U.S. Embassy about a possible terrorist attack in the greater Sandton area over the weekend, advising its staff to avoid large gatherings.

“We have consulted with the various entities, and at this point: postponing Pride is hard, proceeding with Pride is hard, and deciding whether or not to attend is a hard decision,” the organisers say.

The organisation says the march was started for a reason.

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“It was a protest action. We as a continent have a very marginalised LGBTQI+ community. We live under constant attack and there is a constant fear of being arrested in 33 of 54 countries.”

The organisation says despite their constitutional rights, they are marginalised in South Africa.

“The terrorist threat has provided an opportunity for homophobes to emerge, inciting a series of homophobic comments directed at Pride and our LGBTQ+ community and the reason for our existence”.

Also read: Terror attack ‘unlikely’ but warning shouldn’t be ignored – expert

“We must remember that it is critical for us to occupy the space we intend to occupy on October 29, that we take to the streets, and that we assert our visibility. We must establish our presence and demonstrate our strength as a united community. Coming together as an LGBTQ+ community in Africa, South Africa, and Johannesburg,” the organisation says.

Meanwhile, International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Naledi Pandor, has called on the global community to collaborate in the fight against terrorism.

Pandor says state security organs are paying attention to the threat of terrorism after the alert by the U.S. Embassy.