This is really outrageous. A parade that’s been going for ten years in Portland has to shut down because of leftwing anti-fascist (read fascist) groups threatening ominous violence if they don’t disallow the GOP from participating:
WASHINGTON POST – For 10 years, the 82nd Avenue of Roses Business Association has kicked off the city of Portland’s annual Rose Festival with a family-friendly parade meant to attract crowds to its diverse neighborhood.
Set to march in the parade’s 67th spot this year was the Multnomah County Republican Party, a fact that so outraged two self-described antifascist groups in the deep blue Oregon city that they pledged to protest and disrupt the April 29 event.
Then came an anonymous and ominous email, according to parade organizers, that instructed them to cancel the GOP group’s registration — or else.
“You have seen how much power we have downtown and that the police cannot stop us from shutting down roads so please consider your decision wisely,” the anonymous email said, referring to the violent riots that hit Portland after the 2016 presidential election, reported the Oregonian. “This is nonnegotiable.”
The email said that 200 people would “rush into the parade” and “drag and push” those marching with the Republican Party.
“We will not give one inch to groups who espouse hatred toward LGBT, immigrants, people of color or others,” it said.
On Tuesday, the business association buckled, announcing it would cancel the parade altogether.
“Following threats of violence during the Parade by multiple groups planning to disrupt the event, 82nd Avenue of Roses Business Association can no longer guarantee the safety of our community and have made the difficult decision to cancel the Parade,” the group said in a statement.
Talk about depressing news. I understand why parade officials don’t want to risk the safety and security of everyday Americans just coming out to have a good time and show their support. But by caving, it gives credence to the claim by these fascist groups that the police aren’t enough to protect us, and honestly, that’s very dispiriting.
Sometimes I wake up and read the news and I simply don’t recognize my country.