Parade organizers in St. Martinville are working closer with police to make their parade a more family friendly event.

After meeting with members of the newcomers club, Police Chief Calder Hebert put in place a zero tolerance policy banning what he calls “vulgar and obscene music”.  Parades are large community events that children attend prompting some members of the community to agree with the chief. A letter from the ACLU to the Saint Martinville Police Fepartment says, “The city of St. Martinville is barred from censoring music that is legally protected first amendment expression.”

ACLU Director, Marjorie Esman says she urges the St. Martinville Police Fepartment to refrain from violating the protected rights of those in the parade and along the route.