Related To Story VETERANS DAY PARADE |
Anti-War Veterans Allowed In Veterans Day Parade
Veterans For Peace Had Previously Been Banned From Parade
POSTED: 3:33 pm MST November 8,
2007
UPDATED: 2:10 pm MST November 9,
2007
DENVER -- A group called Veterans for Peace will be allowed to participate in this Saturday's Veterans Day parade after all, group leaders said Friday.Parade organizers did not invite Veterans for Peace this year because they say the group staged an inappropriate protest at last year's parade."The parade is not a platform for protesting. It is a platform for honoring the veterans of all services," said Andrew Grieb, with United Veterans Council of Denver.
Vietnam veteran Frank Bessinger believed that the ban violated his group's freedom of expression."Certainly, our point of view is different from a lot of other people in the parade. But, we believe it's legitimate," said Bessinger.On Friday, the city council overruled the United Veterans Council and said that Veterans for Peace should be allowed into the parade.Bessinger said the group will be a "respectful and dignified presentation of peace."The group will be in the last section of the parade because they were admitted at the last minute."Veterans for Peace and their affiliated organizations are invited to participate in the parade. All participating groups have agreed to abide by the guidelines and rules of the Veterans Day parade. This resolution will allow the focus of the event to return to the veterans and their families who are being honored," said Jerry Hageman, president of the Denver United Veterans Council.The parade begins at 10:30 a.m. in front of the City and County building.
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