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News :: War and Militarism |
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Veterans For Peace in Boston Defy Parade Ban On Veterans Day (Video-Photos) |
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by Michael Borkson
Email: nosanctions (nospam) yahoo.com (unverified!) |
12 Nov 2008
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Boston, Mass.--Veterans For Peace were not permitted to march in the Boston Veterans Day parade; instead they had to march after the parade passed by, behind the ambulance and street sweeper. Nevertheless, about 100 Vets for Peace and their supporters marched in the anti-war contingent, which included Iraq Veterans Against the War, Code Pink, the Raging Grannies, the Peace Abbey, and others. |
 Video-Photos:Veterans For Peace, Boston, Defy Parade Ban On Veterans Day |
The American Legion, which runs the annual Boston Veterans Day parade, would not allow the Boston chapter of Veterans For Peace to march in the official parade. Last year, 2007, 15 Vets For Peace and 3 supporters were arrested at City Hall Plaza for protesting their exclusion from marching and speaking in the official parade. This time, the Boston police held back the Vets For Peace contingent until the official parade passed, and they were only allowed to march very much behind the official parade.
Nate Goldshlag, Vets For Peace coordinator, said over the bullhorn-"We are veterans, too--why aren't we allowed to march in the parade?"
The answer was that only pro-war veterans groups were allowed.
Despite the ban, onlookers clapped and cheered for the Vets For Peace contingent.
A big victory was won when the parade organizers cancelled the pro-war speeches at the end at City Hall plaza, rather than confront the anti-war contingent's demand to speak, too.
To see video of the Vets For Peace contingent, go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1xutnEQm_U |
 Video-Photos:Veterans For Peace, Boston, Defy Parade Ban On Veterans Day |
 Video-Photos:Veterans For Peace, Boston, Defy Parade Ban On Veterans Day |
 Video-Photos:Veterans For Peace, Boston, Defy Parade Ban On Veterans Day |
 Video-Photos:Veterans For Peace, Boston, Defy Parade Ban On Veterans Day |
 Video-Photos:Veterans For Peace, Boston, Defy Parade Ban On Veterans Day |
 Video-Photos:Veterans For Peace, Boston, Defy Parade Ban On Veterans Day |
 Video-Photos:Veterans For Peace, Boston, Defy Parade Ban On Veterans Day |
 Video-Photos:Veterans For Peace, Boston, Defy Parade Ban On Veterans Day |
See also:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1xutnEQm_U
http://smedleyvfp.org
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