2 North Carolina towns have canceled their Christmas parades due to fears of unspecified threats of violence from groups who planned to protest the inclusion of Confederate groups.
Town officials in Wake Forest said police reported receiving credible information in recent days that growing numbers of outside groups planned to attend the parade to support or oppose the Sons and Daughters of the Confederacy.
“Groups that contact us about their plans to protest tend to follow our rules and regulations,” Leonard said. “We’re concerned about outside agitators that don’t notify us. Radicals don’t typically call ahead. These aren’t area residents we’re talking about. These are professional protesters who have no regard for the safety and well-being of others.”
Wake Forest Mayor Vivian Jones said the decision stirs a range of emotions, including anger, frustration, disappointment and sadness, but she was supportive of the parade's cancellation.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Towns cancel Christmas parades after Confederate groups' floats spark potential protestsBoth Wake Forest and Garner -- two North Carolina towns separated by roughly 30 miles -- canceled their parades after seeing social media posts discussing possible protests over floats being planned by two separate Confederate groups.
Read more »
A town's Christmas parade is canceled because of potential protests over Confederate symbolsThe Christmas parade in Wake Forest, North Carolina, has been a local tradition for more than 70 years. But this year, it's being canceled because of safety concerns following the participation of local Confederate sympathy groups.
Read more »
UNC Board of Governors To Give Confederate Group $2.5M To Preserve Silent SamProtesters tore down the statue known as Silent Sam on the University of North Carolina campus in 2018. Now the school is giving $2.5 million to a confederate group to preserve it, sparking outrage among students and faculty. wunc
Read more »
Town Holds Parade For 3-Year-Old Boy Told He Wouldn't Live Past Age 2'If everyone donated $5, the hope is Nash and 4-11 others with his condition will be alive to celebrate Nash's fourth birthday' by funding the actual treatment.
Read more »
'Is this the beginning of the end?': OPEC discord raises questions about its long-term futureThe future of OPEC looks increasingly uncertain, energy analysts told CNBC Friday, citing a deepening rift among the 14-member group.
Read more »