Annual 82nd Avenue of Roses Parade canceled due to 'threats of violence' (Portland, OR)

kptv.com ^ | April 25, 2017 | FOX 12 Staff

[PROCON]

PORTLAND, OR (KPTV) - The annual 82nd Avenue of Roses Parade and Carnival scheduled for this weekend has been canceled due to "threats of violence," according to organizers.

The parade, in what would have been its 11th year, is the first sanctioned event of the Portland Rose Festival.

The event is put on by the 82nd Avenue of Roses Business Association in partnership with local businesses, neighbors and community groups. The goal is to "celebrate and promote the diverse community that lives, works and plays on 82nd Avenue."

In a statement released Tuesday, the business association said, "Following threats of violence during the parade by multiple groups planning to demonstrate at the event, we can no longer guarantee the safety of our community and have made the difficult decision to cancel the parade and carnival."

~SNIP~

The Multnomah County Republican Party stated parade organizers received an email demanding their registration be revoked or a "riseup" group will send hundreds of people rushing into the parade to "drag and push those people out."

[Tarantulas]

without even firing a shot, we lost

"I have not yet begun to fight."

- John Paul Jones

The parade may be canceled, but patriots instantly scheduled a replacement for it. The March for Free Speech 82nd ave will be happening this Saturday morning. We will assemble at the park and then walk down the sidewalk with flags and signs. If anyone tries to stop us, the Portland Police will be there to clear the sidewalk of any blockage. And if some misguided individuals try to start some violence with us (and it sounds like those plans are in the works), I feel sorry for them. Join us - we're turning our state red!

[IYAS9YAS]

Yeah. Wow. Never researched the original from the ‘30s. I was just commenting about the red, white, and black color scheme of the modern version...

[Tarantulas]

Then why the cancellation of the parade if the Portland police are so proactive?

You will have to ask the organizers about that. My theory is that they wimped out in the face of threats. Portland Police said that they were well able to handle any protesters, and they are. Here's what happened in January when some protesters blocked a street and a bus. And (my favorite) here's what happened in February when they blocked another street (skip to about the 5 minute mark if you want to avoid all the warnings that the protesters were given). I love how the clueless guy with the megaphone didn't even see the officers pulling up behind him. I don't know why the Portland Police aren't getting more publicity for what they're doing. Stuff like this is why I back the badge.

[combat_boots]

bttt

[Tarantulas]

Here's a better article about the cancellation. Portland police told KGW they were aware of the threats and were prepared to handle any disruptions.

"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," said Sgt. Pete Simpson with Portland police.

82nd Avenue of Roses Parade canceled due to threats

[goodnesswins]

see post 8

[Tarantulas]

Post 8 is correct. This is not the Rose Parade.

[PROCON]

Thanks, that explains it better. Sad to see it happen.

[PROCON]

Hey, good luck and best wishes on Saturday!

Appreciate an after action report if you could.

Kick ass!

[Tarantulas]

Thanks very much! It sounds like some of the blogs and minor news media are picking up on the event, so there should be plenty of cameras around.

[Cubs Fan]

The national guard needs to be called in to protect conservatiove free speech protestors.

[Steve_Seattle]

"I would suspect that the Portland police would have had stand-down orders issued from the Mayors office, just like in Berkeley last week. Portland leadership is complicit in the violence."

Maybe I missed it, but I haven't seen any evidence that the authorities plan to file any charges against those making the threats.

[Tarantulas]

I haven’t either. I’m not sure they know who did it. The threat came from an anonymous email. The Oregon Republican Party has asked for an investigation and arrests.

[Tarantulas]

The rally is happening now. They’re inside a fenced basketball court at the park. A few protesters (not sure if they are antifa) are outside the fence with noisemakers. One person has a bull horn that makes a continuous siren sound, and several have little plastic horns that make a squeaky noise when they pump a little hand pump handle. They put glitter inside their little horns and blow glitter through the fence. That’s all the dialog they are able to have, is to make noise.

[PROCON]

Thanks for the report, hope more to come later.

[Tarantulas]

Some guy wearing a US flag as a cape and pretending to be a Trump supporter is outside the fence trying to start an argument with the antifa folks. No one inside the fence knows who he is. Typical disinformation tactic.

[Tarantulas]

Portland Police are driving along with the march now. They have a truck towing a trailer, with what looks like about 20 SWAT officers. Not like we saw in Berkeley - these guys are excellent!

[PROCON]

Nice, can you post pics later?

[Tarantulas]

I will post some pics. I am not at the march myself - had a problem with my ankle and didn’t think I could walk for a mile or more.

The Police have separated the antifa from the free speech march so they are on opposite sides of the street. Their PA announcements are very impressive.

[Tarantulas]

I should have said that I’m watching a live video, but it’s on a closed Facebook group so I can’t post a link that will work.