Over the years, Austin has made many stupid decisions. But this latest display of insanity is on par with some of the worst moves the city’s government has made.
Austin’s government decided that it would cancel the annual Veteran’s Day parade which is held each year to honor those who served in the United States Armed Forces. The city’s COVID-19 restrictions prevented the parade from proceeding as normal.
Fox News Digital received a statement from the city explaining its decision:
We reached out to event organizers to help with the permitting process. The organizers did not submit a COVID-19 Health & Safety form to Austin Public Health for review. On September 28, the organizers notified ACE they were cancelling the event due to health concerns for a gathering with 30,000 people. Austin was at Stage 4 in the Risk Based Guidelines. The region still had 25 ICU beds to provide care for millions of Central Texans. The City is now working with the Parade Foundation on a ribbon cutting dedication ceremony for the Veteran’s Pocket Park.
In the statement, it was also stated that in order to host an event organizers need to follow some criteria.
Screen all participants, including requiring proof that a COVID-19 negative test was performed within 72 hours after entry to an event.
Strategize to maintain at least six feet of social distance
Include “mask zones” in outdoor event areas where social distancing is not possible.
Texas governor Greg Abbott responded by blasting the city. He also offered to permit veterans and other participants access to the Capitol building. He tweets:
The City of Austin’s overreaching COVID requirements have forced the Austin Veterans Parade Foundation to cancel their annual event.
I’m inviting them to host a rally on the south steps of the Texas State Capitol.
We celebrate our nation’s heroes in Texas.
Austin Veterans Parade Foundation has had to cancel its annual event due to the City’s excessive COVID requirements.
I invite them to organize a rally on South Stairs of Texas State Capitol.
Texas celebrates our country’s heroes. pic.twitter.com/0BsyIBGQF3
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) November 9, 2021
The Austin Veterans Parade Foundation explained that it was unable to comply with the city’s requirements. “This is something that we could not do as we anticipated some 30,000 attendees to the parade,” they said in a statement. “We are hopeful that in 2022, the restrictions on public gatherings will be back to normal. In lieu of the parade, we are working with the City of Austin and the Austin Veterans Commission to dedicate the Veterans Park on Nov. 11th.”
Many were unhappy with the development, as one can imagine. Luis Rodriguez from Wind Therapy Motorcycle Freedom Riders told Axios his group is happy that other events can continue in the city. He stated:
It’s a slap in the face to those who served. It’s for an open air parade. Formula 1 was allowed to continue, with five times as many people than the Super Bowl. That was not stopped by them. They’re playing politics with the honor of veterans and those who have served this country.
Axios also noted that the F1 race was held on private property, so the city’s authority to restrict the event was limited.
I might be willing to give the city the benefit of the doubt if it hadn’t allowed left-wing protesters demonstrating against the murder of George Floyd to brazenly congregate in and march through downtown Austin. These protests were attended by me several times. While police did not permit protesters to resort to violence, they didn’t force them to disperse.
The city’s onerous – and largely unnecessary – restrictions meant that an event honoring those who put their lives on the line for the United States was denied to Austin residents and is yet another example of how the hard left ruins everything. It begs the question: Will they use the pandemic to justify continuing these policies?
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