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<h1>An Alternative St. Patrick's Day March for Peace? (correction)</h1>
<p><em>Correction: The parade date is <strong>March 20</strong>, not March 13, and the official parade site is </em><a target="_blank" href="http://www.southbostonparade.org/"><em>www.southbostonparade.org</em></a><em>. This is the same weekend as the anniversary of the Iraq war. - UJP</em></p>
<p>Dear UJP supporters,</p>
<p>Veterans for Peace/ Smedley Butler Brigade seeks people of conscience to walk with them in an alternative St. Patrick's Day march for peace in South Boston,<strong> March 20, 2011</strong>. (See the<a href="http://%20www.southbostonparade.org"> Official parade site</a>.) Please let Tony Flaherty of Veterans for Peace know by February 1 if you are willing to participate: <a href="mailto:imtaptalk@aol.com">imtaptalk@aol.com</a>. </p>
<p>- UJP Planning Group</p>
<p>BACKGROUND<br><br>
South Boston has long been the cornerstone of racism, sexism, and militarism in America - perhaps unfairly tarnished insofar as when busing came into being, it was on the backs of the poor in South Boston, to the comfort of the suburbs. Historically in the late 90's gays and lesbians were barred from marching, and when forcing their way in they became the subject of a court case which resulted in the Supreme Court endorsing the right of parade oganisers to bar whom they wished, as it was a private affair. This, is, of course, ludicrous as in excess of $300,000 is spent on police and Homeland Security activity during the parade which it is now estimated to draw one million spectators.<br><br>
In 2003, Veterans for Peace were allowed to march by the Police. Allied War Veterans sued the police and again won the right to bar whom they wished as it was a "private" affair. Since that time, any peace organization is barred - "peace" is a dirty word in South Boston where Marines, and other military organizations participate heavily. When we marched on the eve of Shock and Awe, it was to mixed review, but Congressman Lynch the next day hosted a demonstration on Day Boulevard supporting the attack on Iraq. Since that time he has been a supporter of war, as is the new Senator Scott Brown. Prior to the parade there is a breakfast at the convention center where all politicians in the State and from neighboring states are present, and the President of the United States often speaks by televised interview. In 2004 we infiltrated the convention breakfast and rang a bell when Bush spoke and were quickly ushered from the hall by police. In the next year a bronze state recipient and the Mother of a female soldier in Iraq tried to speak out, and were manhandled from the hall.<br><br>
Boston now is trying to put a new face on the city to the extent of suppressing the name "South Boston" in the case of the new Industrial Park and Wharf district. It is my contention that if confronted with a substantial number of people willing to be arrested the Mayor would intervene, as the parade draws big media coverage, and it would not desire to be seen as "Birmingham North," any longer.<br><br>
Currently we would be allowed if we pressed the law to march ONE MILE behind the parade. This could be dangerous as this is a long interruption, and marchers would be subject to the whims of drunken bystanders. I do feel if we could raise substantial numbers marching solely under a banner of Peace we might make a breakthrough. If we do not have sufficient numbers I fear we would be seen as the "historical crank." If there ever was an event which should draw together peace and justice entities, this is certainly it. It is rather absurd to be traveling to other cities, when our own backyard is the epitome of the problem.<br><br>
This is background. In a nutshell I have told Veterans for Peace I would support negotiation which would allow a march with just a "Peace" message. I would not support an effort where there is not a significant number of participants - ineffective, and foolhardy, and would result in only a few "I was there" hero messages to be relayed to the choir of really no significance. </p>
<p>Tony <br><br>
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