City of New Richmond issued the following announcement on June 9
The City of New Richmond was notified on Thursday, June 4, 2020 of a march which occurred on June 7, 2020. The request and sponsored unity march was made by a local organization called Tutapona. Tutapona did not receive a parade permit for this march and local elected officials and law enforcement communicated safety concerns with the organizers as Knowles Avenue is a State Highway.
Some in the community, have contacted the City asking why this group was allowed to march along Knowles Avenue without a permit and why city resources were utilized for the march. The City’s primary function is to ensure health, safety and general welfare for all community members. Furthermore, the City, through its conversations with Tutapona, highlighted its concerns with public safety along Knowles Avenue and its support of our community-focused police department.
Members of Tutapona ensured the City that they would remind community members to march peacefully. On Sunday, an estimated number of 500 people attended the march. The estimated cost of protecting those in attendance was $3,000. Additional time was also spent in notifying businesses of the march throughout the weekend.
Throughout the past two weeks events nationally and globally have caused community members far and wide to express themselves in many forms and forums. Sunday, in New Richmond, while not authorized by the City, this march highlighted both a peaceful gathering as a 1st Amendment right as well as our law enforcement and emergency management assistance from New Richmond Fire Department, St. Croix County Sheriff’s department and River Falls Police Department doing what they do in protecting our community.
We understand that our community has many voices, as such, the City of New Richmond will be hosting a community forum later this month to hear from you. While we may not all agree on each issue, creating forums based upon dignity and respect are important. For information on this event, please contact Mike Darrow, City Administrator at mdarrow@newrichmondwi.gov.
Original source can be found here.
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