In a blunt letter to Amherst Town Manager Larry Schaffer, Western Mass ACLU Director Bill Newman threatened to sue the town if a parade permit was not issued for the July 4^th Parade.  A private parade largely organized by Amherst bar owner Kevin Joy (and the VFW), it has been opposed by the Amherst League of Women Votes who wish to use it as a forum to demonstrate against the war and the military.

Even though the Amherst Selectboard voted in June that the parade would be permitted to happen, Schaffer continued to refuse to grant the permit.  He apparently is attempting to prevent the Amherst Fire and Police from wearing their uniforms when they march in the parade, it is rumored that they instead will be wearing union T-shirts identifying themselves as the people who work in the two departments.