By Betty A. Darling Santa Monica
This is regarding the July 4th Celebration canceled and the Cinco de Mayo celebration at Santa Monica Pier.
Isn’t there an enormous irony in these two headlines in the Friday, May 2 Santa Monica Daily Press?
As stated a “looming budget deficit forced cancellation” of our nation’s collective heritage acknowledgment. However, there was no mention by City Hall of a “budget deficit” for a celebration by a foreign country.
The same policing services and clean up crews function for either. Yet another reason given for lack of community celebration for July 4 was “difficulty in crowd control.” There is a blatant double standard implied.
So there is to be no parade, no fireworks, no decorations, no flags. A complete void of United States pride. Isn’t there something dreadfully missing here?
How can there be funds for a special ethnic group and no funds for our United States recognition?
Shame, shame on City Hall, city council members and all who seem to be afraid of offending anyone thereby offending everyone.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 9, 2003. Read the original PDF.