Monday, March 19, 2012

The alternate St. Patrick's Day Parade

Yesterday the alternate St. Patrick's group the Veteran's for Peace, the group that defended the camp at Occupy Boston.



From the Veterans for Peace: From the depths of our collective hearts we want to thank you all for participating in our Saint Patrick's Peace Parade the people's alternative parade for Peace, Equality, Jobs, Social and Economic Justice. It was a beautiful day and just a spectacular parade. By several people's estimates it appears as if there were somewhere between 1,500 and 2,000 people. That is at least three times bigger than last year. If someone has a more accurate count please let us know. Everyone who I have spoken to or has contacted us said that they had a wonderful time and will be back next year. 


They also had groups of gays, lesbians and transgender that had been kept out of the parade as well



There was also Church groups





And labor was represented


As was Occupy Boston



Including the Gandhi statue that was in Dewey Square




As were the peace groups





The issues of the day were represented




From the Veteran's for Peace: What a wonderful reception we received from the tens of thousands who were still around when we came by. This is like David and Goliath, and we all know what happen to the big guy. We are winning hearts and minds, our parade is growing and I think we are getting close to seeing the last institutional vestige of bigotry, prejudice and exclusion in the City of Boston come tumbling down. We can't give up, lets see what happens next year. I think the pressure is growing on the City of Boston to make some changes, lets hope so. The bigger we get, the more likely things will change, it is just a matter of time. As we have been told, everything has changed in South Boston, the neighborhood has changed, the residents have changed, Southie is much more integrated and multi-cultural. Everything has changed except the small group of "white men" who run the traditional parade, that too will change in time.




And the police watched over the whole event



It was a great day














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