New July 4 parade rule bans entries with political opposition, picket signs or that ‘incite hateful language’

‘All approved parade entries are expected to maintain a Patriotic, Positive and Fun experience for all,’ according to the Juneau Festival Association

A "We The People: Protecting Our Democracy" float sponsored by a group of community organizations enters the heart of downtown Juneau during the annual Independence Day parade at midday July 4, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Independent)

By Mark Sabbatini

Juneau Independent

A new rule banning entries in this year’s July 4 parade in downtown Juneau from featuring statements of political opposition, protest signs and incitement of hateful language has been imposed by organizers, due to complaints about participants with such in recent years.

The Juneau Festival Association’s website now states "All approved parade entries are expected to maintain a Patriotic, Positive and Fun experience for all."

"Parade entries will be reviewed on the day of parade and will not be allowed to participate if this request is not followed," the website states. "For Example: This is not the time or place to express (your) political opposition, carry picketing signs or incite hateful language. The Juneau 4th of July Parade's purpose is to provide a Fun, Family Oriented experience of celebrating the United States 250th Anniversary of Independence."

The change is to make official what have general been common sense assumptions about parade entries, Alicia Nestler, chair of the Juneau 4th of July Parade Committee, said in an interview Wednesday,

"I think it was just something that was always expected and in the past few years there have been people who have felt like it was a really good place to make — I don’t think a riotous political stand is the accurate statement — but…it wasn't community positive and it wasn't patriotic," she said.

Among the most politically oriented entries last year was a group of about 130 people from various community organizations associated with a "We The People: Protecting Our Democracy" float, featuring a large Statute of Liberty and other displays. Some of the participants interviewed by the Independent at the time expressed concerns about Trump administration policies. But Claire Richardson, one of the participants, said in an interview Wednesday the entry itself "as far as I know, didn't have any negative signs."

"We intentionally did something positive," she said. "It was positive, it was fun, it was patriotic, it was uplifting and that's I think how people took it."

Nestler said she would have to review photos from the float and participants surrounding it to see if any content wouldn’t be acceptble under the new rule.

"I think that the issue with that is they were very slow — and that is also in our rules, which has been in there forever," she said.

No official content restrictions exist for the July 4 parade in Douglas, which historically has followed the downtown processesion and included many of its entries, since there no registration of participants, said Maggie Swanson, president of the Douglas Fourth of July Committee.

"Anybody and anything is welcome," she said. "We've not had to turn anybody away ever for any reason."

Nestler said it’s likely some people are already working on their floats for the downtown parade since her association has been receiving parade entries since March. She said so far none appear to be suggesting content that violate the new rule.

"Nobody has come out and said, "Hey, I'm gonna just roast to the opposing party for funsies.’ Nobody has said that," she said. "The concern is that on the day they're going to come out and do that and be like, ‘Oh, we didn't know,’ so that's why it's on the paperwork now."

• Contact Mark Sabbatini at editor@juneauindependent.com or (907) 957-2306.