Anti-war veterans group banned from Bremerton parade (Bremerton, Washington)

[marmar]

from King 5 News, via MichaelMoore.com:



May 14th, 2008 6:45 pm
Anti-war veterans group banned from Bremerton parade


By Allen Schauffler / KING 5 News

REMERTON, Wash. - They're expecting good weather and big crowds in Bremerton this weekend for the annual Armed Forces Day Parade.

This year organizers expect two dozen bands, 165 entries and nearly 6,000 people on parade.

If the weather heats up, it could draw 40,000 spectators

But one veterans group says they're not invited. The North Olympic Peninsula Veterans for Peace say they're being kept out of the parade this year because of their anti-war stance.

The anti-war group marched last year. This year the Chamber of Commerce sent them a rejection letter.

David Jenkins, who served four years in the Navy, says they have no interest in causing problems on parade day.

"We believe sincerely that we need to find peaceful solutions to all international problems, national problems, local problems," Jenkins said.

But organizers say the group is too political and that's not what the parade is about.

"This is not set up for politics," said Cris Larsen, chairman of the Armed Forces Festival. "Veterans groups are allowed to march and walk, it's the whole idea of the parade was set up 60 years ago to honor all those brave men and women who have served in our armed forces."

Jenkins says his group will be there and be visible Saturday even if they don't march.

Larsen says he'd be glad to sit down and talk and see if they can work out some kind of compromise.

So in this particular battle, maybe there is a chance for peace.


http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latestnews/index.php?id=11490

[Arctic Dave]

1. You can only participate if you help in maintaining the

war hard on. IF not, your not allowed to voice your opinion.:eyes:

[lumberjack_jeff]

2. Bremerton is a navy base around which a city was created. n/t

[gateley]

4. Understood -

but I think these veterans should be honored as well, and it sounds as though they wanted to PEACEFULLY march and participate.

Do you live in Brememerton -- or even on "that side"? If so, what's your take on it? :hi:

[lumberjack_jeff]

5. I am unsurprised by anything regarding suppression of free speech

on the Kitsap peninsula. The whole damn thing is one big navy base.

Most of my childhood was spent in Silverdale. It was a bad place to be a McGovern supporter.

[gateley]

6. Well yes - you have a point about Kitsap.

Are you still over there?

[lumberjack_jeff]

7. Nope, but I didn't stray too far - only about 60 miles southwest.

[gateley]

3. So the "to honor all those brave men and women who have served in our armed forces"

who want PEACE can't be honored, is that it? :grr:

This makes me sad and disappointed in my home State (of which I'm usually SO proud).

[riverdeep]

8. By default, aren't the groups who are marching then considered pro-war?

If that's the case, then they are condoning political statements. But just the one they happen to agree with.