(COLORADO SPRINGS) -- Peterson Space Force Base is retracting a warning to service members telling them to avoid a Juneteenth celebration in Colorado Springs this weekend.

Thousands are expected to attend the event outside the Citadel Mall, despite an unfounded alert sent out to military members with concerns over organizers' alleged connections to gangs in Southern Colorado.

It all began when Peterson SFB sent a safety advisory to military members claiming One Body ENT and the Men of Influence have gang affiliations and links to crime in the Pikes Peak region. The two describe themselves as community outreach organizations, whose goals include mentorship and outreach to prevent young people and adults from being drawn into potentially dangerous life paths.

"It's very alarmist and it's entirely inaccurate," said City Councilwoman Nancy Henjum, District 5.

Security alert: Peterson Space Force Base sent

One Body ENT pushed back in a YouTube video, after Peterson SFB sent out the above security alert, calling the Juneteenth event a protest and stating the organizing bodies had been involved in violent crimes.

The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) told FOX21 News the accusations in the alert are false, and now the organizers want to clarify that there is no threat to people who want to attend this weekend's celebration.

"Misleading, confusing, and outright false statements contained within a situational awareness brief were being shared amongst others within the community to include members of the military," said Jemond G, Public Relations for One Body ENT in the YouTube video.

The advisory called the festival a "protest" and encouraged service members not to attend.

Juneteenth, June 19, is a federally recognized holiday commemorating the reading of a proclamation on June 19, 1865, in Galveston, Texas, which effectively ended slavery. Juneteenth celebrations have been held for decades across the nation, rejoicing in the achievements and freedoms of black Americans.

However, Peterson's safety brief claimed, "The Colorado Springs Police Department anticipates some level of violence during the event." CSPD said it is not currently tracking any threats to the event.

CSPD can confirm that Men of Influence is not on our radar in any negative way, and we are appreciative of the positive work they do in our community. We are aware of their Juneteenth celebration and are also not aware of any cause for public concern around the event. As with all public events that draw a crowd, we urge community members to be aware of their surroundings, and if they see anything out of place to say something to an event organizer or report it to police.

"We're trying to bring everybody together, from the negative narrative to a positive place, and this is a space to do it, at Juneteenth," said Jennifer Smith, Co-founder of One Body ENT.

The alert also called out another organization known as The Men of Influence (MOI), saying it's associated with criminal activity in the area.

"The MOI has never in four years of work been involved in any acts of violence, there has never been violence," said G in the YouTube video.

Councilwoman Henjum spoke out against the accusations: "Since One Body ENT and Men of Influence have been running this festival, there has been no violence whatsoever. I would just like to say that this group is doing some of the best and most important work in our city."

The Citadel Mall has been the site of several shootings over the years, including one that paralyzed a young girl in the shopping center's parking lot. But organizers say they want to use this festival as an opportunity to improve its reputation and reclaim it as a space for people to gather safely.

Peterson has since issued a new statement:

Space Base Delta 1 is aware of an internal advisory distributed by the Peterson SFB Anti-Terrorism Office regarding a Juneteenth event in Colorado Springs.

The advisory was issued as a routine internal situational awareness message for personnel. It was based on general safety considerations associated with large public gatherings in areas that have historically experienced elevated criminal activity, as well as recent incidents elsewhere in the state. These factors prompted a precautionary approach by the Anti-Terrorism Office.

Following coordination with the Colorado Springs Police Department and city officials, it was clarified through the original dissemination channels that the Juneteenth event is not classified as a protest as initially thought. The heightened vigilance is based off elevated risk due to the location, size, and public nature of the event.

Space Base Delta 1 remains committed to the safety of our personnel and their families, and maintaining strong relationships with our community partners throughout the Pikes Peak region.