Anti-Bush marcher stirs up post-parade controversy

Somehow, they just do it to themselves, don't they??

Anti-Bush marcher stirs up post-parade controversy

JUNEAU: Group to vet all future entries for content.

The Associated Press

(Published: July 18, 2004)


JUNEAU -- Responding to complaints of a man lampooning President Bush in this year's parade, the Juneau Fourth of July committee says it will not allow "inappropriate behavior" in future parades.

Some spectators were reportedly upset with a man who wore a Bush mask and held a sign reading "I think I served. Commit troops. Cut benefits."

Committee director Gerald Dorsher said the committee supports free speech but called the man's commentary distasteful.

"This single individual chose to express his own opinion without prior approval from our committee," Dorsher said. "If the committee had been given an opportunity, we would have not allowed such a volatile political entry into our parade."

Individuals and groups are already required to file an entry form to join the downtown parade, but there had been no regulations on the content of their entries.

Now the committee will incorporate rules to prevent any "obscene, vulgar or inappropriate behaviors."

Some committee members acknowledge the new rules may be difficult to enforce.

"We don't know if people are going to do something inappropriate until the parade starts," said committee member Jean Sztuk.

"But we are going to ask anyone who doesn't submit an entry form to leave and we will ask for the help of the Juneau Police Department if necessary."

Some residents said the committee's decision will stifle free speech.

"Fourth of July is a celebration of independence, not a celebration of restrictions," said Erik Lie-Nielsen, a Vietnam War veteran.

"They are trying to stifle freedom of expression, which the country is all about."

Robyn Holloway, 44, said it will be hard for a 16-member committee to decide what is appropriate.

"What is inappropriate may change every year," Holloway said. "This year, we had a person wearing a mask of President Bush. Next year, we might have cheerleaders whose skirts are too short. How are you going to regulate that?"

Heather Karpstein, a 22-year-old student at the University of Alaska Southeast, thinks the committee made the right decision.

"Fourth of July should not be about mockery," Karpstein said Tuesday. "It should be a celebration of people who serve our country, such as the police officers, firefighters and military officers."

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