� 2003 WorldNetDaily.com
Yellow ribbons symbolizing troops fighting in Iraq
and Afghanistan have divided a Maine town holding a Veterans Day parade for
the first time in 60 years.
Local veterans in South Portland want the ribbons � which are attached to
utility poles along the parade route � to stay long after the event is over.
Opponents, however, contend they are a political symbol of support for
President Bush, not just American troops, the Portland, Maine, Press Herald
reported.
The conflict has brought in the Maine Civil Liberties Union, which contends
if the ribbons are allowed, other views must be permitted as well.
City Attorney Mary Kahl agrees, arguing one of the rights the 1,000 area
veterans fought to protect is free speech, the paper said.
Resident Kathy Cabana, speaking at a city meeting, said she "was offended
by people saying people against yellow ribbons were not patriotic."
The debate began in August when a mother whose son is fighting in Iraq,
Valorie Swiger, was told by city officials to remove yellow ribbons she tied
to public buildings and utility poles around the city, the Press Herald
reported.
City council members pointed out an ordinance prohibits such items from
being attached to city property on the public right of way.
A group of citizens, however, who later were joined by veterans groups,
lobbied to have them restored, leading to a contentious debate with city
officials.
"Every one of those ribbons represents a soldier to me," said Swiger,
according to the South Portland paper. "It doesn't represent a Republican. It
doesn't represent a Democrat."
Now the council apparently is willing to allow the ribbons to remain after
the parade, but the debate has shifted to whether other viewpoints will be
allowed as well.
Attorney Kahl explained to the Press Herald the First Amendment forbids any
ordinance that controls the content of what is posted on public property.
The only control the city has is over where items are posted, their size
and how long they can stay up, she said.
A proposed ordinance would allow "nationally recognized symbols of support
for America and Americans."
This, however, would preclude ribbons commonly used to support causes such
as AIDS awareness and breast-cancer prevention.
The MCLU contends any such measure limiting what can be posted will be
struck down in court. The group says it wants to ensure all points of view,
including unpopular ones, can be expressed.
"We seem to have to learn this lesson again and again," said Louise Roback,
the organization's executive director, according to the Press Herald.
Parade organizer Roger Sabourin, a Vietnam veteran, contends a yellow
ribbon is not a cause.
"It is about service and sacrifice," he told the paper.
While the city debates the issue, the ribbons will remain on display.
