Ohio Parade Canceled Amid Legal, Protest Concerns
Published: November 3, 2009
AMELIA, Ohio
An Ohio village’s Christmas parade won’t be held for the first time in decades amid concerns over possible lawsuits, expected protests and logistical problems.
Amelia Mayor Leroy Ellington says the parade sponsor for the past few years backed out due to a lack of volunteers and problems emerged when the village council proposed financing it.
Ellington says the village solicitor told council members that Amelia could be sued for using public money for an event linked to a religious event, and a proposal to change the Christmas parade to a “holiday” parade drew angry responses. The village also couldn’t find a place to begin or end the parade.
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Reader Reactions
Which is exactly why I said the people of the town need to take it over. Then we’ll see how many people protest a parade that is only about celebrating the birth of their savior. We would see just how lopsided our society has become on allowing ‘anything goes’ except for freedom of religion!
I am fed up with everyone who is afraid to use the word Christmas. Maybe if we stick together and tell the stores that if there is no Christmas I see no reason to go shopping this time of year.I DO NOT do “Holiday Shopping”. If there is no Christmas there is no Christmas shopping and I will stay home.
I think the difference is that public money is being used for a religious event. Gay parades probably aren’t publicly funded?
so true—it’s a sad day when something like this can no longer happen—I thought this was a free country—and if you don’t want to see the parade don’t watch it—simple as that—I’m sure if they put an SOS out now they would get plenty of volunteers—they just need to find a new volunteer pool—
The people of this town need to take over this parade. If they try to stop you because of religion being at the core of it, then no one should be allowed to have gay parades! If one is permitted, all should be permitted, if one is banned, all should be banned!
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