Parades And Private Property. A Story Of Who Gets To March

We have two different parades that will not allow outsiders to join.

The Laguna Beach Patriot’s Day Association which would not allow the Minuteman Project to enter their parade because it was too “political” and may upset families. They do allow gay activists in the parade because they are non-discriminating.

Besides, Quilter said, the Minuteman Project would be a "divisive" and "disruptive" presence at the small-town event, which is geared toward local participants such as Boy Scouts and local marching bands.

"We don't need vigilantes in our parade," Quilter said. "If he (Gilchrist) wants to be in a political event, go find one."

The Second is the Saint Patrick’s Day parade where the parade chairman forbid Irish homosexual group and an immigrant right group from entering the parade.

Today is St. Patrick's Day. We celebrate our faith and heritage, everything else is secondary," he said before the start of the Fifth Avenue parade.

Dunleavy set off a firestorm this week when he told the newspaper: "If an Israeli group wants to march in New York, do you allow Neo-Nazis into their parade? If African Americans are marching in Harlem, do they have to let the Ku Klux Klan into their parade?"

Referring to the Irish Lesbian and Gay Organization, Dunleavy said, "People have rights. If we let the ILGO in, is it the Irish Prostitute Association next?"

I agree with the judge in that when we are talking about events that are private owned the have control over who gains entry. So it follows that neither the ILGO whom protested their exclusion from the St. Patrick’s Day parade or the Minutemen whom sued The Laguna Beach Patriot’s Day Association have a leg to stand on.