Anti-war vets banned from Calif. paradeThe Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Nov 8, 2007 15:45:57 EST
LONG BEACH, Calif. — Anti-war vets have been banned from marching in the 11th Veterans Day Parade in Long Beach.
A participation application filed by Iraq Veterans Against the War, Veterans for Peace and Military Families Speak Out was turned down because organizers want Saturday’s parade free from politics.
“They do not fit the spirit of the parade, the spirit being one of gratitude for what the veterans have done,” said Martha Thuente, coordinator for the nonprofit Veterans Day Parade Committee.
“We do not want groups of a political nature, advocating the troops’ withdrawal from Iraq,” she added.
Some veterans and anti-war groups were unhappy.
“It’s a violation of democracy, the whole concept which we are allegedly dying for,” said Adrian Novotny, a Vietnam vet and local president of Veterans for Peace. He said it was particularly frustrating because the group was allowed to march in the parade last year.
Rest of article at:
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/11/ap_vetsbanned_071108/uhc comment: The American Legion will not allow the Veterans For Peace to march in the Veterans Day parade in Boston. The IVAW & VFP will be marching behind the street sweepers (again).