It’s a victory for AWVC
In less than two hours, U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns ruled that the City of Boston cannot shorten the parade route on March 20th. On Monday, the Allied War Veterans Council filed suit against the City of Boston stating the condensed parade route was a violation of their First Amendment right to free speech and assembly. The judge agreed.
Everything from public safety to underaged drinking were mentioned as part of the city’s testimony for shortening the parade route. Basically the parade day is a big pain in the ass to the BPD.
Stearns said the city had a great argument for banning the sale of alcohol on parade day — but not for shortening the route. Stearns also called out the city for not formally changing the route until the end of February.
So it’s back to the old traditional route beginning at Broadway Station winding through the streets of Southie passed Dorchester Heights and ending Andrew Square.
What do we expect? Police to be out in full force, making arrests for public drinking, noise violations, etc. in record numbers. This will help prove the city’s point next year when they no doubt will try to shorten the route again out of spite.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Victory! This was about politics and nothing more. Glad to see we will be still parading by the Heights, which forced the British evacuation of Boston, while celebrating Evacuation Day and St Patrick’s Day this year.
If mayor Walsh is really concerned about Public Safety he should CLOSE ALL LIQUOR STORES AND BARS on Sunday.. Their is 52. Sundays a year. These BARS and liquor stores make plenty of money ALL YEAR. Closing for ONE SUNDAY A YEAR will NOT affect their well lined pockets. Also their should be a designated “family area'” between “M” and “O” streets so that famillies with CHILDREN can watch the Parade without roving gangs of idiots from outside the neighborhood bothering young children….GOD BLESS “SOUTHIE”!!!!
All in favor of closing the bars in Southie for St. Patrick’s Day as long as bars are closed for all major events throughout the city, such as Gay Pride Week, Caribbean Festival, Marathon, DORCHESTER Day, Bunker Hill Day, Etc. Apply the law, regulations, etc. evenly.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. My house is on Telegraph St and the yard gets transformed into a giant urinal on parade day. Please lets get together and ban this parade from our street!!!! It is nothing more than a nuisance.
Can anyone make a succinct argument about why the parade needs to remain as long as it was using anything other than “because that’s how it’s always been”?