From The Veterans For Peace To The Boston Labor Movement

Dear Labor Leaders,

On March 17^th there will be two parades in South Boston. It is our desire to see only one parade, one that is inclusive and welcoming for any group wishing to celebrate the proud traditions and heritage of Saint Patrick’s Day. Please see the enclosed information.

The Saint Patrick’s Day Parade is run by the Allied War Veterans Council. It excludes veterans who have dutifully served this country, many in combat, many have stood in the line of fire, many are highly decorated and who now work for peace. It excludes any group with peace in their name. It excludes any group from the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgender (GLBT) community.

We call on all labor leaders to stand on the side of inclusion. We call on all labor leaders to stand up for members of the LGBT community that I am sure are in you locals. If they wanted to walk in the parade as a unit, they would not be allowed.  It is 2013, gay and lesbians serve in the military, there is gay marriage in Massachusetts and they should be allowed to walk in the first parade.

There is a second parade in South Boston, walking one mile behind the first parade. The Saint Patrick’s Peace Parade, the Alternative People’s Parade for Peace, Equality, Jobs, Environmental Stewardship, Social and Economic Justice.

We are not asking your union or local to walk in the Labor Division of our parade, although you and any union member from the LGBT community is certainly welcome to do so. We are asking you to not participate in the first parade until these exclusionary and prejudicial practices end and all veterans, peace groups and LGBT groups are welcome to walk in one inclusive parade.

This is a disgrace and embarrassment to the City of Boston. It reinforces the long held perception of South Boston being a closed minded community. The fact is South Boston has changed, it is not the same community it was twenty years ago, the community itself is now welcoming and inclusive. It is a shame that those who run the first parade have not kept up with the times.

Please stand on the side of what is right. By participating in any way in the first parade, you are giving your tacit approval to these exclusionary practices. If labor were to say, it is 2013, enough is enough, let’s support the right of these veterans and members of the LGBT community to participate in the Saint Patrick’s Day festivities, these antiquated practices of the AWVC would come to an end. So please, as a past union organizer for the American Nurses Association, I ask my labor brothers and sisters to please help put an end to the current practices of exclusion in South Boston. Please stand in solidarity with the veterans and the LGBT community on Saint Patrick’s Day.

Thank you,

Patrick J. Scanlon (VN 69’)

Coordinator, Veterans For Peace, Chapter 9, Smedley D. Butler Brigade

 

Veterans for Peace, Chapter 9, Smedley Butler Brigade

P.O. Box 1604, Andover, MA 01810