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St. Patrick's parade in turmoil

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published March 17, 2007

NEW YORK - Ah, St. Patrick's Day in the city: the green stripe painted on Fifth Avenue, the echo of endless bagpipes, the annual March infighting among New York's Irish.

After past controversies over an IRA-linked grand marshal and the exclusion of gay groups from marching, this year's hostilities pit organizers of the 246th parade against the city's firefighters, their second battle in two years.

St. Patrick might have driven the snakes out of Ireland, but he would find it near impossible to eliminate controversy from the nation's oldest and largest celebration of all things Irish.

John Dunleavy, parade organizing committee president, ignited this year's brouhaha by moving the FDNY from its traditional spot at the front to the middle of the parade.

Dunleavy then created a separate brew-haha by complaining that firefighters show up drunk to the parade and continue drinking all day while in uniform.

"He's made a huge mistake in trying to brand all New York City firefighters on something that he says he saw," said Uniformed Firefighters Association head Steve Cassidy about the drinking accusation. "It's nonsense."

The FDNY, along with the Police Department and the Fighting 69th Infantry band, usually head the parade, which draws about 2-million people each March 17.

The crux of the marching dispute was last year's appearance by New Orleans firefighters with the FDNY. Parade organizers said it was delayed 35 minutes as the Louisianians unfurled a banner thanking New York for its aid after Hurricane Katrina.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg, on his Friday radio show, said moving the FDNY didn't make sense.

"I guess my advice to the guy running the parade is, look, nothing's perfect - lighten up," Bloomberg said.

[Last modified March 17, 2007, 02:13:37]