Hudson River Sloop Clearwater removed from Sail 4th parade over banner dispute
The banner stated, "Save the Clean Water Act" and "Indigenous rights + Racial Justice = Climate Solutions."
The Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, a sailing vessel, had to withdraw from a Fourth of July event over its banners.
The vessel was a part of the Sail 4th 250 Parade.
The banner stated, "Save the Clean Water Act" and "Indigenous rights + Racial Justice = Climate Solutions."
The non-profit says there was nothing that stated it was not allowed. Organizers with the event disagree.
The vessel joined the parade route on the Hudson River on Saturday, when it was stopped more than an hour in by two U.S. Coast Guard boats. The moment was caught on camera.
"The second Coast Guard boat came up, and the first thing they said was that we had to turn our vessel around immediately, and leave the parade, and go south—head south of the Verrazano," said ship Captain Rory Kane.
According to Kane, the vessel was not given the option to remove the banners.
He has been with this vessel since 2012, which he says looks to raise awareness on key environmental issues pertaining to the Hudson River, justice, peace, education and more.
The U.S. Coast Guard's Unified Command told News 12 that, as part of conditions set by Sail 4th, participants were not allowed to display political or politically charged messages.
In a statement, Sail 4th 250 said the agreement signed by all ship owners and captains to participate prohibited any flags and signs without their review, which they say was signed by the vessel.
"The agreement we signed with Sail 4th specifically did not allow for any sponsorships or logos...so I don't think that those banners broke those rules," said Kane.
The boat's messages came one day after Westchester County confirmed the Yonkers Sewage Treatment System failed following a power failure due to power reductions by Con Edison from the extreme heat.
The incident banned boats and swimmers from entering the Hudson River.
"I think our message was positive and it's a reminder that these things are ongoing. That these problems are still problems," said Kane.
