SI Young Dems & St. Patrick's Day (for all!)

Dear Friends:

By now, most of you have probably seen the coverage of the Young Democrats of Richmond County in the St. Patrick's Day Parade here on Staten Island this past Sunday. After reports of a local LGBT group being informed that they could march but not carry their banner in the parade, several members of YDRC, in a showing of solidarity and support of all-inclusive parade activity, pinned a rainbow-patterned fabric onto their coats.

Here's a compilation of links to the articles:

* SILive.com
Issue of gays marching openly in Staten Island's St. Patrick's Parade comes to light after confrontation

Young Dems claim Staten Island St. Patrick's Parade officials harassed members over gays

* NY Post
SI Pat's parade boss in scuffle

* NY Daily News
Staten Island St. Pat's parade organizers stonewall gays, young Dems from marching, sparking outrage

* Huffington Post
Gay Rights Group Banned From Staten Island St. Patrick's Day Parade (VIDEO)

* Gothamist
Video: LGBT Ban Causes Scene At SI St. Patrick's Parade

* Advocate.com
Gay Pride Banned From New York St. Pat’s Parade

* Manhattan Young Democrats
Young Dems Stand Up for Equality on Staten Island

* New York State Young Democrats
Richmond County and Manhattan Young Dems March in St. Patty's Parade in Support of LGBT Equality!

Bottom line: The Young Democrats of Richmond County did not violate parade rules (read them for yourself here, the ONLY place they can be found online), nor did we seek to distract from the purpose of the day.

Please keep in mind that the actions of Mr. McKeon (not the same Dennis McKeon from local not-for-profit Where to Turn) and one other parade marshal DO NOT represent the entire Parade Committee, Grand Marshal Dr. Craig Campbell (a good friend to SI and the Democratic Party) or the Hibernians.

I would like to thank our members that marched for taking the high road and standing up for what is right. I have never been prouder to be president (and a member) of this organization than I have been the past few days.

I would also like to thank all those who joined us from other clubs (DORC, SIDA, Gaeta, South Shore Dems); NYSYD Downstate VP Ben Yee; Heather and Kim (who took the video footage!) from Manhattan Young Democrats; Glenn from Westchester Young Democrats; my friend Joseph who was visiting from England and marched with us the whole way; and everyone else that supported us before, during and after the parade.

If you have any questions about what happened, please contact me. I will be more than happy to answer them.

Moving on, I would like to invite you to join us in celebrating St. Patrick's Day at a mini-fundraiser for the club on Thursday, March 17, at Karl's Klipper, 40 Bay Street, SINY 10301. $25 will get you hors d'oeuvres + beer/wine/soda from 7 - 10 p.m. You can find a flyer here. Come and bring your friends! Please RSVP to Samantha Giordano at (571) 481-1889.

In solidarity,

Amy Lavelle
President
Young Democrats of Richmond County