We are dismayed that our local Chamber of Commerce believes that political parties and candidates for public office, including non-partisan offices, should be barred from the Fourth of July parade. This decision was in reaction to a couple of people who allegedly carried signs in last year’s parade that a few spectators found offensive. The penalty appears to vastly exceed the “crime.”

The parade celebrates the birth of our country, the rejection of the king and authoritarian rule and the establishment of a democratic form of government. Political parties and candidates competing in free and fair elections are a fundamental part of that democracy. Fourth of July parades shouldn’t just be about flag waving, marching bands and puppies. They should be about what this county stands for – independence, the Constitution, freedom of speech, the rule of law and the fact that we get to elect the people who represent us.

The alleged violation of the Chamber’s rules should have been responded to judiciously, not excessively. That means punishing the violator not whole classes of entrants. The Chamber could have issued a formal warning to the Democrats that any repeat of the violation would result in their being banned from the parade the following year. That would have made a lot more sense, especially since the Chamber’s rule say nothing about banishment for rules violations. But banning all political parties and all candidates is a gross overreaction. It’s also worth noting that none of us involved in the parade saw these allegedly offensive signs.

Although we are grateful to the Chamber of Commerce for putting on the parade year after year, we believe they should reconsider while there is still time.

Sincerely,

Tamela Bresler

David Dehlendorf

Brad Fincher

Debbie Fincher

Susan Grout

Pamela Hoke

Audrey Stewart

Susan West