Both 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.
"Earlier today, during its regular monthly meeting, the Wake Forest Downtown , Inc. Board of Directors voted to cancel this year's parade due to the potential for violence," the Town of Wake Forest wrote in a press release."Board members heard from Wake Forest Police officials who reported receiving credible information in recent days that growing numbers of outside groups plan to attend the parade to either support or oppose the Sons & Daughters of the Confederacy.
"We aren't happy telling kids they can't attend or participate in this year's parade - but it's better than trying to explain to a parent who's child was injured why we chose to proceed, despite so many warning signs," Leonard said in the press release. "The town is especially concerned about the possibility of bystanders - including children - being caught in the middle of disruptive actions," the town of Garner wrote in a press release.
In a separate press release shared to Facebook, Wake Forest said that the Sons & Daughters of Confederacy have been part of the town's Christmas parade for several years and have always been"peaceful," but the town recognizes"that for some the [Confederate] flag represents racism, hatred and bigotry.
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