Coast Guard Removed Clearwater from Sail4th 250

Clearwater was invited by Sail4th 250 to participate in the celebration of our country’s 250th anniversary in both the Class B Tall Ships Parade on July 3 and the Parade of Sail on July 4. On July 4, before beginning the parade, they raised their sails with banners carrying messages of clean water, climate solutions, Indigenous rights, and racial justice. Over an hour after the July 4 parade began, Clearwater was directed by the U.S. Coast Guard to leave the parade route and was escorted out of the security zone. They were never offered the opportunity to remove the banners and continue participating in the parade. Executive Director David Tomen talks with Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.