MLK parade that was to have included governor fails to get permit, is canceled
ARLINGTON -- City officials on Thursday canceled a controversial Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade that was to have included Gov. Greg Abbott as the honorary grand marshal and served as a six-county celebration of the late civil rights leaders work.
City officials said the decision was made because organizers of the Toyota North Texas Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade had failed to meet event planning and security-related funding requirements.
The parade was billed as a way to combine MLK events in Tarrant, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Kaufman and Collin counties in one regional celebration. But critics quickly spoke out against Abbotts inclusion, with some calling for a boycott or other protest.
Arlingtons special events ordinance requires a permit for parades on public streets, public parks or other outdoor spaces owned by the city, and organizers are required to pay the costs of covering costs for traffic management and event security.
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