This year's St. Patrick's Day parade was a lot more peaceful

So this is what all the fuss was about.

Last year, when members of the Pikes Peak Justice and Peace Commission tried to march in the St. Patrick's Day Parade, they were ordered out for violating the parade's ban on social issues, and seven were arrested.

A lot has happened in the year since: A hung jury resulted in a mistrial for the seven, and charges were dropped. Police and peace groups held meetings and forums to find a way to work together. The parade organizer dropped the ban on social issues and invited them back.

Saturday, six of the seven arrested last year, along with several dozen others, got their chance to march down Tejon Street and spread their message of peace and opposition to the war in Iraq.

"I'm here for the same reason I was last year, to march with people who share the same values I do and have a good time," said Molly Eaves, one of those arrested last year.
They marched wearing green "peace" T-shirts, and a yellow school bus with peace slogans and signs followed.
"It's just a great feeling to return," said Frank Cordaro, also arrested last year. "I'm grateful to be back and welcomed."

Photos of the arrests last year showed the marchers - all middle-age or older - being handled roughly. One woman in her 60s received a road-rash welt when officers dragged her from the route.
There was a lot of sympathy in the crowd Saturday for them, and they were generally met with applause.
"It's their right to be able to," said spectator Melany Porter. "It's not so much the message, it's the ideal."
"I think they have a right to speak their opinion," said Stephanie Alcock, another spectator. "Don't we all have freedom of speech?"
There was scattered jeering, including from some men who said they were in the military and could not give their names.

"This is supposed to be a fun parade, not something like this," said one man, a Republican activist who would also not give his name.
Parade organizer John O'Donnell, who made the decision last year to ask police to remove them, reported no problems.
"I'm very happy with them and we'd be happy to invite them back," O'Donnell said. "I would say they were received well."
He said the only thing that could've been better was the weather. Chilly temperatures made for a smaller crowd than in 2007.

For some of those arrested, while concerns remain about police response to protests, it was nice to put the previous year's unpleasantness behind them.
"It's a great effort to try to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, peace and whatever anyone else wants to celebrate," said Bill Durland.
"It wasn't a protest last year and it's not a protest today," Durland said. "It's a celebration of St. Patrick's Day and peace."

CONTACT THE WRITER: 476-1605 or scott.rappold@gazette.com