Avenue of Roses Parade In Oregon Canceled: Threats Against County Republican Party

By: Hank Berrien

The annual 82^nd Avenue of Roses Parade in East Portland, Oregon, scheduled for April 29, has been canceled because of threats made against the Multnomah County Republican Party.

James Buchal, MCRP Chair, wrote, “The City allowed this cancer of lawlessness to grow to the point where its leaders are now bragging, like some sort of comic book characters, that ‘the police cannot stop us.’ But this is no laughing matter. The participation of political parties in public events like the Parade is not only an American tradition, but also reflects the most fundamental constitutional rights of free speech and freedom of assembly. The road to fascism begins with armed gangs of thugs using violence to shut down opposing points of view.”

As KGW reports, “The sender of the email cites two organized Facebook events to show the seriousness of their demands. One of the Facebook events is associated with Direct Action Alliance, a group ‘organized in response to the rise of fascism in America.’”

The email can be seen here.

Jacob Bureros of Direct Action Alliance emailed KGW:

We are disappointed that the Avenue of Roses Parade has been cancelled. As members of this community, we prize our neighborhood events and support events that promote community. Known members of neo-nazi and anti immigrant hate groups planned to attend the group that was being hosted by the Multnomah County Republicans at the parade. We intended to stand between them and those who they wanted to intimidate. We intended to block out their hate and shut down their violence.

Sgt. Pete Simpson of the Portland police stated, “We were aware of threats to disrupt the Avenue of Roses Parade on Saturday and were prepared to provide a police response appropriate to the needs of the event, which has traditionally been a family-friendly affair.”