McHENRY COUNTY DEMS WITHDRAW FROM GALA PARADE IN PROTEST
Graphic adapted by CAROLYN QUINN
The McHenry County Democratic Central Committee, meeting at the Nunda Township Hall, voted Wednesday night to withdraw from participation in the Crystal Lake Gala Parade and to encourage others to do the same. The action was in response to the decision by the Gala Committee to bar participation in the parade by the McHenry County Peace Group.
“Tonight the Central Committee took a strong stand for fundamental fairness and freedom of speech by authorizing our withdrawal from the Crystal Lake Gala Parade” Cynor wrote in a message to party members after the vote. “The Gala Parade Committee has repeatedly abused its authority in making arbitrary decisions as to who may participate in this publicly supported parade.”
The Party has been a regular participant in the Gala Parade for several years with large contingents of marchers.
It was determined that the decision by the Gala Committee was "arbitrary and capricious" especially in light of banners, placards and signs regularly carried by an array of organizations, political parties, candidates and elected officials throughout the years.
The resolution authorizes the Party chair to withdraw participation “until such time that the Gala Parade Committee enforces its rules and regulations uniformly in the interest of equity, fundamental fairness and freedom of speech.” Cynor indicated that he would take action.
The resolution was overwhelmingly adopted by the weighted vote of the precinct representatives.
RESOLUTION OF THE MCHENRY COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE
AUTHORIZING WITHDRAWAL FROM THE CRYSTAL LAKE, GALA PARADE 2007
WHEREAS, the McHenry County Democratic Central Committee has a parade float entry in the 2007 Crystal Lake, Gala Parade; and
WHEREAS, the McHenry County Democratic Central Committee has participated in the Gala Parade in the past without incident; and
WHEREAS, many State of Illinois elected officials, county elected officials, municipal elected officials, and candidates for elected office have participated in the Gala Parade without incident; and
WHEREAS, many commercial and/or religious organizations have participated in the Gala Parade without incident; and
WHEREAS, these organizations, parties, candidates and/or elected officials have repeatedly utilized banners, signs and placards to convey a political and/or ideological statement/opinion during said Gala Parade; and
WHEREAS, the application for parade participation of a particular group has been denied by the Gala Parade Committee because of the alleged use of banners, signs and/or placards to convey a political and/or ideological statement/opinion during said Gala Parade; and
WHEREAS, said decision of the Gala Parade Committee is both arbitrary and capricious; and
WHEREAS, the McHenry County Democratic Central Committee’s participation in the Gala Parade 2007 would be in tacit support of said arbitrary and capricious decision violating guarantees of equity, fundamental fairness and freedom of speech;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Central Committee of the McHenry County Democratic Party, that the Chairman of the Party is hereby authorized to withdraw said application for participation in the Crystal Lake Gala Parade 2007, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all members of the Central Committee be encouraged to withdraw from said event; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Central Committee members and the Chairman of the Party publicly encourage others to withdraw from said event and in particular contact all elected officials and candidates and request their support of said resolution, until such time that the Gala Parade Committee enforces its rules and regulations uniformly in the interest of equity, fundamental fairness and freedom of speech.
DATED: at Crystal Lake, Illinois, this 20th day of June A.D., 2007.
Thomas J. Cynor Esq. Carolyn Quinn
Chairman, McHenry County Secretary, McHenry County Democratic Central Committee Democratic Central Committee