Passing out U.S. Constitutions on July 4th gets group tossed from annual celebration.
The Rhode Island Tea Party group says that it has banned from future Bristol 4th of July Parades. Last Saturday's parade, which is the
oldest in the country at 224 years, had included a float representing the taxpayer group, which has recently been organizing "Tea Party" type
political rallys.
Tea Party spokesperson Marina Peterson says she was contacted by a parade committe member on Wednesday and was told "It is because some members of
the RI Tea Party passed out U.S. Constitutions to the crowd. Apparently passing out the US Constitution on Independence Day is an egregious violation of
parade rules. This is despite the fact that other floats passed out solicitations for their businesses, which is against the Parade guidelines, and these
businesses have NOT been told that they are banned from participating in the future."
Calls to parade committee member Jim Tavares were not immediately returned.
Here's a picture of the float, and crew, including 920WHJJ talk show host Helen Glover (front in white shorts)
