The Parade that Wasn't
2017-06-11 05:32Portland's 82nd Avenue of Roses Parade was scheduled this year for April 29, Saturday, but was cancelled due to threats because the parade would have included the Multnomah County Republican Party.
http://www.oregonlive.com/rosefest/index.ssf/2017/04/organizers_cancel_82nd_avenue.html
'Organizers of the 82nd Avenue of Roses Parade announced Tuesday that the event will be canceled, for fear that the east Portland parade could be disrupted by "the type of riots which happen in downtown Portland." ...
At least two protests were planned for the day of the parade, one by Oregon Students Empowered and another by Direct Action Alliance. Both events were mentioned in an email sent to parade organizers on Saturday, threatening to shut down the event with hundreds of protesters in the street.
"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, telling organizers they could cancel the Republican group's registration or else face action from protesters. "This is non-negotiable." ...'
But demonstrations happened anyway:
http://www.kgw.com/news/politics/march-for-free-speech-counter-protest-lines-82nd-avenue/435194023
'Soon after the parade was canceled, Joey Gibson and other local conservatives organized a replacement march, called it the “March for Free Speech”.
“The mission is to promote freedom, free speech and to basically go through these liberal areas and have a right to just speak and show what we believe in,” he said.
The event kicked off at 10 a.m. at Montavilla Park.
From the beginning, Portland police were on hand, keeping Gibson’s group separate from about 60 counter-protesters. ...'
Video from KGW's Maggie Vespa:
http://www.oregonlive.com/rosefest/index.ssf/2017/04/organizers_cancel_82nd_avenue.html
'Organizers of the 82nd Avenue of Roses Parade announced Tuesday that the event will be canceled, for fear that the east Portland parade could be disrupted by "the type of riots which happen in downtown Portland." ...
At least two protests were planned for the day of the parade, one by Oregon Students Empowered and another by Direct Action Alliance. Both events were mentioned in an email sent to parade organizers on Saturday, threatening to shut down the event with hundreds of protesters in the street.
"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, telling organizers they could cancel the Republican group's registration or else face action from protesters. "This is non-negotiable." ...'
But demonstrations happened anyway:
http://www.kgw.com/news/politics/march-for-free-speech-counter-protest-lines-82nd-avenue/435194023
'Soon after the parade was canceled, Joey Gibson and other local conservatives organized a replacement march, called it the “March for Free Speech”.
“The mission is to promote freedom, free speech and to basically go through these liberal areas and have a right to just speak and show what we believe in,” he said.
The event kicked off at 10 a.m. at Montavilla Park.
From the beginning, Portland police were on hand, keeping Gibson’s group separate from about 60 counter-protesters. ...'
Video from KGW's Maggie Vespa: