From an email I received from the Mid Cities Democrats. Unbelievable!
On Thursday, December 2nd, several Mid-Cities Democrats attended the City of Grapevine's "Parade of Lights," part of the city's "Christmas Capital of Texas" campaign. Our families and friends were very disappointed to see the North East Tarrant Tea Party in the parade, represented with a float, people marching behind the float and yelling partisan slogans like "Go Tea Party!" to the crowd.
Unfortunately, partisan politics is something that divides us. A community Christmas celebration should be apolitical. There are times to debate politics and welcome a political presence, and there is a time to leave debate and politics at the door. Our position is simple:
The Grapevine Chamber of Commerce and the City of Grapevine exercised poor judgment in allowing the participation of a divisive political entity such as the Tea Party in the Parade of Lights.
The Mid-Cities Democrats would have never exercised poor judgment in even requesting a float in a holiday parade. Politicizing Christmas in the manner that the Tea Party has only serves to continue and divide us. On the night of the parade, immediately following and in the days since, many residents have registered complaints to the Chamber of Commerce, Grapevine's Mayor Tate and the City Council.
The Mid-Cities Democtats has, and continues, to respond:
The Mid-Cities Democrats Executive Board formally complained about the inclusion of partisan political involvement in the Parade of Lights and asked the Chamber and the city leadership what policies and procedures are in place now that allowed this unfortunate scenario to occur, and what steps will be taken in the future to prevent this unfortunate scenario from occurring again. Read the letter to the Chamber here and the City of Grapevine here.
The Grapevine Chamber of Commerce President, RaDonna Hessel, has publically said that the Float Selection Committee was caused to "pause" at the sight of the Tea Party's Entry form:
"This year, the Tea Party's entry caused the float selection committee to pause, Hessel said. But "there wasn't anything in place to tell them 'no,' and you ... can't randomly exclude someone because somebody doesn't care for the organization itself," she said.
Due to your overwhelming concerns and protests expressed to the Chamber and City Council, Hessel has publically implied that new policies and procedures may be in place next year to prevent political entities from using Christmas as a platform to spout divisive messages and promote partisanship. That is all that we have asked for.
"Hessel said the chamber will review its rules for changes to avoid a similar controversy in future parades."
What we have requested of both the Chamber and the City Council is being addressed thanks to you. We are fighting back against the Tea Party when the fight must be taken to them the most.
For us, this is not about wanting or pursuing a float in a Christmas parade. MCD has applied to Grapevine's GrapeFest in the past and we have been denied twice in the past. We will continue to apply in the future as well. We assume our denial was based on a formal policy by the organizers and sponsors of GrapeFest. Are no similar policies in place for holiday parades? We believe it was both inappropriate and frankly poor judgment on the part of the Tea Party to ask, and for the city to grant permission for the float.
Once the Grapevine Chamber of Commerce and City Leadership respond, we will share that response with you. In the meantime, continue and have your voice be heard on this situation.
Contact the Grapevine Chamber of Commerce and let them know that politicizing Christmas, regardless of your party loyalty, is not acceptable and that new policies and procedures should be in place to prevent this unfortunate scenario from happening again.
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