VFP Members Attempt to March in Las Vegas Veterans Parade

November 15, 2016
by Don Kimball
 
Friday, November 11th was Veterans Day. Originally Armistice Day, it was meant for remembering the horrors of WW1, the “War to End All Wars”. What we have today though it seems is a holiday that is just another three-day weekend, another opportunity for selling cars, and finally, to honor veterans. Well, most veterans here in Las Vegas anyway.
 
A contingent of around 15, marching under the name Veterans For Peace in the Veterans Day parade were assaulted by parade organizers, bystanders and Las Vegas Metro. Our crime? Calling for an end to endless war. With banners and chants calling for peace, we proudly marched down the street remembering our pledge taken to defend and protect the Constitution. The First Amendment of that document guarantees all citizens freedom of speech. Except in the Las Vegas Veterans Day parade it seems.
 

Halfway through the parade, organizers threatened by messages of peace surrounded us with motorcycles and golf carts. Like they were herding so much cattle, they aggressively tried to stop us. Unsuccessful, they called in Metro. Totally overreacting to the situation, officers approached us from behind with sirens blaring while the Cub Scouts marching in front of us looked on in disbelief. Officers then proceeded to tackle and arrest some of the peaceful marchers. Despite our pleas and our display of the permit to march granted to us that morning, we were forced to take to the sidewalk where bystanders ripped up one of our banners.

 
Finally realizing their mistake, Metro released a veteran they had arrested. By now, the parade had ended and we returned home in shock and disbelief that we who had served had been treated with such disrespect and disdain. Shame on parade officials, Metro and the violent bystanders. Shame on Las Vegas. Shame on America.

Las Vegas police help kick out veterans group from downtown parade – KTNV news story

Veterans for Peace protesting drones kicked out of Las Vegas veterans Day parade [Kelly Patterson Facebook video]

Veterans for Peace Kicked Out of Las Vegas Veterans Day parade [Christian Stalberg video]

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