<html><body><div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:times new roman, new york, times, serif;font-size:12pt"><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 12pt; "><span style="font-family: times, serif; font-size: 12pt; ">Peace Activists,</span><br></div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; "><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; "><div id="yiv1559313782" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 12pt; "><div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; "><div style="font-family: times, serif; "><div style="font-family: times, serif; "><div id="yiv1559313782" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: times, serif; "><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 12pt;
font-family: times, serif; "><div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: times, serif; ">This just went out to all the press we have.</div><div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: times, serif; ">Please circulate to all your contacts and friends</div><div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: times, serif; ">Please be sure to come and bring your friends</div><div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: times, serif; ">Thank you,</div><div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: times, serif; ">Pat</div><div style="font-family: times, serif; "><div style="font-family: times, serif; "><div id="yiv1559313782" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: times, serif; "><div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 12pt; font-family: times, serif; "><div style="font-family: times, serif; "><div style="font-family: times, serif; "><div id="yiv1559313782" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: times, serif; "><div><div style="color:
rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 12pt; font-family: times, serif; "><div style="font-family: times, serif; "><div style="font-family: times, serif; "><div id="yiv1559313782" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: times, serif; "><div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 12pt; font-family: times, serif; "><div style="font-family: times, serif; "><div style="font-family: times, serif; "><div id="yiv1559313782" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: times, serif; "><div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 12pt; font-family: times, serif; "><div style="font-family: times, serif; "><div style="font-family: times, serif; "><div id="yiv1559313782" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: times, serif; "><div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 12pt; font-family: times, serif; "><div style="font-family:
times, serif; "><div style="font-family: times, serif; "><div id="yiv1559313782" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: times, serif; "><div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 12pt; font-family: times, serif; "><div style="font-family: times, serif; "><div style="font-family: times, serif; "><div id="yiv1559313782" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: times, serif; "><div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 12pt; font-family: times, serif; "><div style="font-family: times, serif; "><div style="font-family: times, serif; "><div id="yiv1559313782" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: times, serif; "><div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 12pt; font-family: times, serif; "><div style="font-family: times, serif; "><div style="font-family: times, serif; "><div id="yiv1559313782" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: times,
serif; "><div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 12pt; font-family: times, serif; "><div style="font-family: times, serif; "><div style="font-family: times, serif; "><div id="yiv1559313782" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: times, serif; "><div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 12pt; font-family: times, serif; "><div style="font-family: times, serif; "><div style="font-family: times, serif; "><div id="yiv1559313782" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: times, serif; "><div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 12pt; font-family: times, serif; "><div style="font-family: times, serif; "><div style="font-family: times, serif; "><div id="yiv1559313782" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: times, serif; "><div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 12pt; font-family: times,
serif; "><div style="font-family: times, serif; "><div style="font-family: times, serif; "><div id="yiv1559313782" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: times, serif; "><div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 12pt; font-family: times, serif; "><div style="font-family: times, serif; "><div style="font-family: times, serif; "><div id="yiv1559313782" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: times, serif; "><div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 12pt; font-family: times, serif; "><div style="font-family: times, serif; "><div style="font-family: times, serif; "><div id="yiv1559313782" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: times, serif; "><div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 12pt; font-family: times, serif; "><div style="font-family: times, serif; "><div style="font-family: times, serif; "><div id="yiv1559313782"
style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: times, serif; "><div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 12pt; font-family: times, serif; "><div style="font-family: times, serif; "><div style="font-family: times, serif; "><div id="yiv1559313782" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: times, serif; "><div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 12pt; font-family: times, serif; "><div style="font-family: times, serif; "><div style="font-family: times, serif; "><div id="yiv1559313782" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: times, serif; "><div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 12pt; font-family: times, serif; "><div style="font-family: times, serif; "><div style="font-family: times, serif; "><div id="yiv1559313782" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: times, serif; "><div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255,
255); font-size: 12pt; font-family: times, serif; "><div style="font-family: times, serif; "><div style="font-family: times, serif; "><div id="yiv1559313782" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: times, serif; "><div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 12pt; font-family: times, serif; "><div style="font-family: times, serif; "><div style="font-family: times, serif; "><div id="yiv1559313782" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: times, serif; "><div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 12pt; font-family: times, serif; "><div style="font-family: times, serif; "><div style="font-family: times, serif; "><div id="yiv1559313782" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: times, serif; "><div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 12pt; font-family: times, serif; "><div style="font-family: times, serif; "><div style="font-family: times,
serif; "><div id="yiv1559313782" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: times, serif; "><div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 12pt; font-family: times, serif; "><div style="font-family: times, serif; "><div style="font-family: times, serif; "><div id="yiv1559313782" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: times, serif; "><div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 12pt; font-family: times, serif; "><div style="font-family: times, serif; "><div style="font-family: times, serif; ">
<div id="yiv1559313782" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: times, serif; "><div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 12pt; font-family: times, serif; "><div>
<div class="yiv1559313782MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;"><div class="yiv1559313782MsoNormal" align="center" style="background-color: white; font-family: times, serif; "><b><span style="font-size: 24pt; font-family: Stencil; ">Veterans For Peace</span></b></div><div class="yiv1559313782MsoNormal" align="center" style="background-color: white; font-family: times, serif; "><b><span style="font-size: 18pt; font-family: Stencil; ">Smedley D. Butler Brigade</span></b></div></div><div class="yiv1559313782MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;"><b><span style="font-size:18.0pt;"><br></span></b></div><div class="yiv1559313782MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;"><b><span style="font-size:18.0pt;">Press Advisory</span></b></div>
<div class="yiv1559313782MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:6.0pt;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="yiv1559313782MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;">Contact: </span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;">Pat
Scanlon<b> </b>at<b> </b>978-590-4248 or email PatScanlonMusic@yahoo.com</span></div>
<div class="yiv1559313782MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:8.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv1559313782MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;"><b><span style="font-size:17.0pt;">Why are there two Parades in South
Boston on Sunday March 18?</span></b></div>
<div class="yiv1559313782MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;"><b><span style="font-size:8.0pt;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="yiv1559313782MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;"><b><span style="font-size:16.0pt;">This is a question all Bostonians should
be asking themselves</span></b></div>
<div class="yiv1559313782MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;"><b><span style="font-size:16.0pt;">This is the question all politicians who
participate in the morning roast </span></b></div>
<div class="yiv1559313782MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;"><b><span style="font-size:16.0pt;">or will march in the 1<sup>st</sup>
parade should be asking themselves</span></b></div>
<div class="yiv1559313782MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;"><b><span style="font-size:16.0pt;">The press should ask all politicians and
City of Boston leaders </span></b></div>
<div class="yiv1559313782MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;"><b><span style="font-size:16.0pt;">Everyone associated with or watching
should be asking themselves</span></b></div>
<div class="yiv1559313782MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;"><b><span style="font-size:8.0pt;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="yiv1559313782MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;">Well over a hundred years ago the Irish walked through
the streets of Boston protesting “discrimination” against the Irish. Today, the
organizers of the “traditional Saint Patrick’s Day Parade are discriminating
against two groups who only wanted to walk in the first parade. </span></b></div>
<div class="yiv1559313782MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:8.0pt;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="yiv1559313782MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;">First, Veterans For Peace, a group of veterans of the
U.S. military, who have dutifully served this country, many in time of war from
WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan. These veterans, who have received
numerous decorations for valiant service to this country, who know all too well
the consequences of war, it’s violence, it’s brutality, the pain to veterans
and their families. These veterans who
now stand for and advocate peace have been denied to walk in the traditional parade
and carry flags and banners some of which read: “Bring the Troops Home and Take
Care of Them When the Get Here”, “Cut Military Spending, Save Jobs, Police,
Fireman, Teachers”, “Peace is Patriotic”. For these sentiments their application
to walk in the traditional parade were denied?</span></b></div>
<div class="yiv1559313782MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:8.0pt;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="yiv1559313782MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;">For Join the Impact a gay, lesbian,
bisexual and transgender (GLBT) group of young Bostonians who just want to walk
in this parade and are denied because of who they are? In a time (2012) when
Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is history, when Gay Marriage is now law in the State of
Massachusetts, when there is a large gay and lesbian population living in South
Boston, yet are denied to walk as a group in the traditional parade.
Discrimination against any group is a disgrace and should be unacceptable and an
affront to all Americans, yet this exclusion continues as the politicians, the
press, parade participants and residents of South Boston look the other way. It
is easy to walk in a parade, it is fun to watch and hear all the pageantry of a
parade. Sometimes it is difficult and
uncomfortable to stand up and support what is right, even when the opportunity
is staring you in the face as it marches by. </span></b></div>
<div class="yiv1559313782MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><b><span style="font-size:8.0pt;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="yiv1559313782MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;">Several decades ago, Mayor Curley, the
famous and flamboyant Mayor of the Great City of Boston turned over the operation
of the Saint Patrick’s Parade to the Allied War Veterans Council. Given that
Evacuation Day and Saint Patrick’s Day fell in the same time frame. It seemed
to make sense, at that time, to have this group run the Saint Patrick’s Day
Parade. This move took the responsibility of organizing and running the
traditional parade out of the hands of the city. This seemed like a good idea,
but what was lost in the bargain? There are two parts to this parade, yet only
one side is in total control of who can be in the first parade. This first part of the parade, the celebration
of Saint Patrick, should be decided by the City of Boston, in partnership with
the residents of South Boston. Saint Patrick was a man of peace, the patron
Saint of Ireland. This part of the parade should be to honor the legacy and
heritage of the Irish people and their contributions to this wonderful city; it
should be open and welcoming to all groups, for we are all Irish on St. Pats
Day. </span></b></div>
<div class="yiv1559313782MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><b><span style="font-size:8.0pt;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="yiv1559313782MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;">The second side is the celebration of
the British being run out of town, hence, Evacuation Day. The sad part is that
only one side makes all the decisions as to who can be in the parade. Only, and
exclusively, the Allied War Council has a say in who is in and who is out, no
questions asked. Even though the City of Boston will contribute in excess of
$300,000.00 in tax payer money in support of this parade, for security, safety
and clean up. Not Mayor Menino, local South Boston groups nor local residents,
not the police, no one has a say in who can be in the parade other than this
small group of white men (no women or minorities are listed in the literature)
have a say in who is allowed into the parade. This small group has all their
meetings regarding the parade in private, in a secluded and secret location.
Community representatives are not invited nor allowed to participate in the
selection process.</span></b></div>
<div class="yiv1559313782MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><b><span style="font-size:8.0pt;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="yiv1559313782MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;">In a world-class city, such as the City
of Boston, this last vestige of institutional bigotry, prejudice and exclusion
should be an embarrassment to all our citizens, especially the politicians and
our city and state leaders. South Boston has had a long painful and
embarrassing history of racism, bigotry, prejudice and exclusion. A lot has
changed in South Boston over the past twenty years. The neighborhood has
changed, the residents have changed, it is much more integrated and
multi-cultural. The attitudes have all changed, it is a much more welcoming and
accepting community. The only thing that has not changed are the attitudes of
this small group of men running the traditional parade.</span></b></div>
<div class="yiv1559313782MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><b><span style="font-size:8.0pt;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="yiv1559313782MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;">In their one sentence denial to both
Veterans For Peace and Join the Impact there was no reason given as to why
their applications were denied. When John (Wacko) Hurley was directly asked by
Kay Walsh, the chair of the community organizing meeting as to why Veterans For
Peace were denied, he only repeated, as if pleading the fifth, “I can only
refer you to the decision” referring to the 1995 decision of the U.S. Supreme
court brought about because of their denial of the Gay and Lesbian group
seventeen years ago. When directly asked by Kay to allow Veterans For Peace to
walk in the parade, once again, he only repeated, “I refer you to the decision”.</span></b></div>
<div class="yiv1559313782MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><b><span style="font-size:8.0pt;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="yiv1559313782MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;">“Make no mistake about it, this is a
very militaristic parade hiding behind the robes of Saint Patrick. We
understand the legality the Allied War Council hide behind” said Pat Scanlon
the Coordinator of Veterans For Peace, “we do not understand the morality”. “We
have some highly decorated veterans, who have put their lives on the line for
this country and are not allowed, nor welcomed in the first parade because they
now stand for peace? Shame on the Allied War Council for promoting division,
exclusion and prejudice. Shame on the City of Boston for allowing such blatant
discrimination to continue. Shame on any politician who participates in the
first parade, knowing such flagrant narrow-minded bigotry against veterans and
the GLBT community continues. The City of Boston should take back the running
of the first parade. This type of exclusion is just not acceptable in 2012”.</span></b></div>
<div class="yiv1559313782MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><b><span style="font-size:8.0pt;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="yiv1559313782MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><b><span style="font-size:16.0pt;">On March 18 there will be two parades
marching through the Streets of South Boston. The second parade, Saint Patrick’s
Peace Parade will be walking for peace, equality, jobs, social and economic
justice and will follow one mile behind the first parade. We are walking in the
proud tradition that our Irish ancestors demonstrated over a century ago
against discrimination. There are seven divisions, bands, small floats, a Duck
Boat, trollies and a lot of positive energy. It looks like a wonderful day weather-wise,
just a fantastic and magnificent day for a parade. Please join us.</span></b></div>
<div class="yiv1559313782MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><b><span style="font-size:8.0pt;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="yiv1559313782MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><b><span style="font-size:16.0pt;">Assemble: 1:00 pm, D Street, between 1<sup>st</sup>
and 3<sup>rd</sup> Streets. </span></b></div>
<div class="yiv1559313782MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="yiv1559313782MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><b><span style="font-size:16.0pt;">Directions: From the Broadway T Stop in
South Boston, this location is just a few blocks east on West Broadway (Look
for Veterans For Peace White Flags)</span></b></div>
<div class="yiv1559313782MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="yiv1559313782MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><b><span style="font-size:16.0pt;">Parade: Scheduled to start at 2:00 pm
(it may be a little later)</span></b></div>
<div class="yiv1559313782MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><b><span style="font-size:8.0pt;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="yiv1559313782MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:16.0pt;">Directions: </span></b></div>
<div class="yiv1559313782MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; ">FROM points
North via I-93: </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; "></span></div>
<div class="yiv1559313782MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; ">Take I-93 South
to Exit 20A “South Station.” At the end of the ramp, take a left at signal,
onto Summer Street at South Station. Follow Summer St. for approximately 1
mile, the Boston Convention Center will be on your right, D Street is just past
the Convention Center. Make a right. go up to Louis Street. The parking lot will
be on your left, look for parked truck trailers.</span></div>
<div class="yiv1559313782MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 8pt; font-family: Arial; "> </span></div>
<div class="yiv1559313782MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; ">FROM points
South via I-93: </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; "></span></div>
<div class="yiv1559313782MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; ">Take I-93 North
to Exit 20 "South Boston". Follow the signs to "I-90 East".
Take the first tunnel exit to "South Boston". At the first set of
lights, take a right onto Congress Street. Take the second right onto D Street.
Continue on D Street, past the Convention on your right. Drive up D Street to
Louis Street. The parking lot will be on your left, dirt lot with parked
truck trailers.</span></div>
<div class="yiv1559313782MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 8pt; font-family: Arial; "> </span></div>
<div class="yiv1559313782MsoNormal"><span style="">The Smedley D.
Butler Brigade Chapter 9 of Veterans For Peace was established in the mid-1980s
and includes more than 200 Veterans from the Boston area who are involved in
peace activities. The local chapter is
part of the national Veterans For Peace and is named in honor of Marine Gen.
Smedley D. Butler, the most decorated Marine in U.S. history, who turned
against war and famously said “War is a racket.
A few profit, the many pay.”</span></div>
<div class="yiv1559313782MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:8.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv1559313782MsoNormal"><span style="">The website of
the Smedley D. Butler Brigade of Veterans For Peace is www.SmedleyVFP.org. The
national Veterans For Peace website is www.VeteransForPeace.org.</span></div>
<div class="yiv1559313782MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;"><span style="">####</span></div>
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