Veterans For Peace, Other LGBT Groups Banned Again from Boston’s Saint Patrick’s Day Parade
TRT Editor | Mar 11, 2016 | Comments 1
Excluded from Boston’s St. Patrick’s Parade were Veterans for Peace, as well as other LGBTQ groups. Included this year again are: OUTVets and Boston Pride
On October 27th negotiations between Brian Mahoney, the then Commander of the Allied War Veterans Council, and Scanlon of Veterans For Peace, took place in Police Commissioner Bill Evan’s office to attempt to resolve the conflict. At the meeting, Veterans For Peace pared down their unit to simply a small contingent of between seventy-five and one hundred veterans, two banners, a couple of cars for disabled and elderly veterans, and flags. The lead banner would read, “Lieutenant Tony F. Flaherty U.S.N. Memorial Unit of Veterans For Peace,” named after their beloved member, long-time resident of South Boston who passed away peacefully in July. Tony at one time was best friends with John “Wacko” Hurley the long time Commander of Allied War Veterans Council. How fitting it would have been to honor both men, who held differing views on war and peace, with resolution of this long standing conflict.“It is shameful that the Allied War Veterans Council are once again disrespecting veterans on Saint Patrick’s Day by not allowing a small unit of Veterans For Peace to march in the traditional parade. What are they afraid of? Our rejection is solely based on the fact that we work for Peace,” stated Pat Scanlon, event organizer for VFP. “This continues to be an embarrassment to the City of Boston and the Boston Police Department who attempted to resolve the issue this year.”
At that time, a deal was struck in the Commissioner Evan’s office. The size and make up of VFP’s unit was acceptable. It was agreed that Veterans For Peace complied with all the stipulations and regulations of the AWVC application. The only thing left, according to Brian Mahoney was for the AWVC to vote to approve the agreement. Two months later the Council finally voted on three things: First, to ask OUTVets to remove the rainbow from their banner, second, to rescind the invitation to Boston Pride and deny their application and third, deny Veterans For Peace’s application. The then Commander of the AWVC, Brian Mahoney resigned at that moment in protest over the vote.
Two months later the Council finally voted on three things: First, to ask OUTVets to remove the rainbow from their banner, second, to rescind the invitation to Boston Pride and deny their application and third, deny Veterans For Peace’s application. The then Commander of the AWVC, Brian Mahoney resigned at that moment in protest over the vote.
Mahoney stated, “Veterans For Peace, are veterans, have complied with every stipulation of the parade’s application and have pledged to abide by all the rules and regulations as defined by the Council and should be allowed to march in the parade. They are being denied because of what they think and this is not right.”
Once word of this vote was made public, Sylvan Bruni, President of Boston Pride and long time ally of Veterans For Peace and one of the organizers of the inclusive alternative St. Patrick’s Peace Parade, was livid. Both he and Scanlon contacted Mayor Walsh and Commissioner Evan’s offices. Significant pressure was placed upon the AWVC from City Hall resulting in the Council quickly reversing themselves on their decision regarding Out Vets and Boston Pride. Both of these groups will march in the parade this year, but not Veterans For Peace.
Mahoney stated, “Veterans For Peace, are veterans, have complied with every stipulation of the parade’s application and have pledged to abide by all the rules and regulations as defined by the Council and should be allowed to march in the parade. They are being denied because of what they think and this is not right.”
On Tuesday, February 2, a meeting was held at the VFW Post in South Boston to reconsider Veterans For Peace’s application. Police Commissioner Bill Evans, Police Superintendent Bernie O’Rourke and Scanlon from Veterans For Peace made the case for VFP to be allowed to walk in the parade. Scanlon answered every question presented to him. He emphasized that Veterans For Peace would comply with all the rules and regulations as defined by the Parade Organizers. Commissioner Evans stated why it is important to resolve this issue and allow Veterans For Peace into the parade. The Commissioner also said, “the exclusion of these veterans is an embarrassment to the City of Boston.” That evening, after their guests had departed, by a vote of seven to six the AWVC once again denied Veterans For Peace to walk in the parade.
“This decision by the AWVC to exclude Veterans For Peace once again is not in keeping with the opinions of the vast majority of residents of South Boston, it is shameful and disrespectful of veterans,” said Scanlon. “They gave no reason for the rejection. One can only conclude that Peace is still a dirty word in South Boston, as least for the fifteen or so members of the AWVC. Boston has changed, the neighborhood has changed. People appreciate that some veterans who have experienced war first hand, are committed to and continue to work for peace.”
“…The City of Boston should take back the management of the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade, making it open and accessible to all, allowing all to be part of the historic celebration of the patron saint of Ireland, Saint Patrick, especially our veterans.”—Bob Funke, the Coordinator of Veterans For Peace
Bob Funke, the Coordinator of Veterans For Peace, a two tour veteran of Vietnam, and recipient of two silver stars, three bronze stars and three purple hearts stated, “Veterans For Peace contends the shortening the parade does not go far enough to rectify the intransigence of the AWVC. The City of Boston should take back the management of the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade, making it open and accessible to all, allowing all to be part of the historic celebration of the patron saint of Ireland, Saint Patrick, especially our veterans.”
NOTE: In March of last year, TRT conducted an in-depth story about the AWVC and their “exclusive” parade, which only allowed OUT Vets and Boston Pride to march. Since then mentions were made that this year things would change and Boston Pride’s inclusion would help other LGBT groups to march this year. As of this date, no other LGBT group has been approved to march. Other TRT coverage of the St. Patrick’s Parade and the continuous exclusion of other groups, history, etc. can be found here.
[From a News Release]
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