RI Tea Party: Parade group lifts ban

The Rhode Island Tea Party announced Wednesday they are once again able to march in the Fourth of July Bristol Parade.

Marina Peterson, RI Tea Party Treasurer, said parade officials were not able to determine whether or not Tea Party members handed out copies of the U.S. Constitution from its float during the parade.  Earlier this month, a parade organizing committee had placed a ban for life on the Tea Party and accused the organization of violating parade policy.

The committee prohibits handouts during the parade because it poses a safety hazard should spectators, especially children, run onto the street to grab them.  Meanwhile, the Tea Party said videos taken of the parade prove the organization did not hand out any materials during their march.

Peterson said the committee did not provide a specific reason as to why it lifted the ban.

 "While we would have preferred less ambiguity on their part, we accept their statement as an apology to everyone who participated in preparing for the RI Tea Party’s parade debut," she said.  "We appreciate the Committee’s acknowledgement of what we have been saying all along; we play by the rules."

Peterson said the Tea Party looks forward to being invited back to take part in future Fourth of July Bristol Parades.