League of Women Voters explores hosting own July 4th parade

By Scott Merzbach
Staff Writer

Published on April 03, 2009

A second parade on July 4th that would welcome a broader array of ideas from its participants, including dissent and many forms of protest, remains a possibility, though no firm decisions have yet been made on whether it will actually take place.

Representatives from the League of Women Voters have been meeting with town officials and investigating the possibility of scheduling this parade to supplement the one that has been organized by the Fourth of July Committee since 2002.

Carol Rothery, president of the league, said Friday that she has spent the last two months getting information about the cost of insurance and police details and how the parade could be scheduled in conjunction with the existing parade, which starts at 3 p.m. each year.

According to the League's March newsletter, the board voted in February to explore the "possibility of sponsoring, with the cooperation of other civic groups, a festive 4th of July parade this summer. The event would be open to individuals of all ages and interests, groups, organizations, businesses or service agencies that wish to participate."

Though the League has considered helping to sponsor this parade since January, at which time Town Manager Larry Shaffer said the town would not be involved in an alternative parade this year, Rothery said a feasibility study to determine who might participate in a second parade is not yet complete.

"Certainly we don't want to do it unless it can be adequate," Rothery said.

Rothery characterized the process as being in limbo, and she is unsure when a decision on proceeding will be made.

Shaffer announced last April a new town parade would be organized in 2009 that would welcome all political viewpoints, as well as active protesters. This came in response to the private committee's policy, which was modified to allow every organization to hold a sign or banner with its name, but still prohibited obscene language, political statements or anything not in keeping with the spirit of the parade.

However, in June the American Civil Liberties Union said Shaffer would be violating the rights of freedom of assembly and expression if he didn't issue a permit for the privately organized parade.

Rothery said a second parade would work within the context of the ACLU's opinion.

Police perspective

Police Chief Charles Scherpa said he recently met with and informed the League that it would need to pay for four hours of police details, no matter how long its parade runs.

The police union contract stipulates this requirement.

The process, Rothery said, has been challenging. While still in an informational phase, she said she couldn't begin asking other organizations if they would be willing to participate. Another question is whether the audience that comes to one parade is willing to watch both.

And though the second parade would likely be a simple, homegrown walk and march, it would still take time to publicize and get information out, Rothery said.

The League's March newsletter notes the importance of freedom of speech and commentary on social and political issues. "It is an integral part of our democratic society, as we celebrate our very special Amherst community and our nation's birthday."