July 4 parade should allow freedom of expression

The Independent reports that the organization that claims the right to approve floats and signs in the Juneau Fourth of July parade now says it will ban signs expressing “political opposition.”  

In other words, this self-appointed group of censors now claims that Juneau citizens may not criticize the government or state their preference for a different vision of the public good, as has happened for many years. Apparently, these folks have not read the First Amendment to the Constitution, and do not share the view that free expression and free speech are among our most basic freedoms. 

Where is the harm from peacefully expressing disagreements with the party in power? Why is dissent, in their view, somehow not patriotic? What were the signers of the Declaration of Independence doing but expressing disagreement with colonial overlords and demanding a different, freer way of conducting public business? Should the signers of the declaration have simply sat back and said, "We can’t declare independence and a new free nation, since that would be negative, we should just keep quiet."

This organization should keep out of the business of regulating free speech and free expression. The rest of us can be trusted to be responsible advocates for our own viewpoints without being muzzled by an unpatriotic group of unelected individuals. 

Douglas K. Mertz

Juneau