Statement from the Village - Event on Saturday, 9/12/20
Subject: September 12, 2020 Event
The Village of Tarrytown became aware of an event that is being sponsored by a group calling themselves “Back The Blue” for a proposed “Flag Convoy” of vehicles has been scheduled for Saturday, September 12, at noon that is proposed to gather in Lot F from 12 Noon to approximately 1:45 p.m., at which time they will depart east along Main Street, and then north along North Broadway.
The Village of Tarrytown, the Board of Trustees, the Village Mayor, the Village Administrator, and the Village Police Department do not support or endorse this organization in any way, and we are not organizing, supporting or sponsoring the event in any way at all. Our understanding from all information about this event is that it is an exercise in free speech, which is protected by the US Constitution. The Village cannot regulate the content of the message of any organization exercising their 1st Amendment rights.
The Village of Tarrytown Police Department has been doing their normal high quality job to work to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the Tarrytown community. To minimize disruption to residents and businesses and to ensure that emergency vehicles can continue to travel unimpeded throughout the Village, the Police Department has conveyed the Village’s objection to this event taking place in public parks and high-traffic areas. The Police Department has communicated the time and location for the event that the Village determined will best minimize any possible negative impacts to the Village residents and businesses.
It will be reinforced to the event organizers and attendees that they are expected to comply with the US CDC and NYS DOH requirements to wear masks because of the COVID-19 pandemic and abide by all rules for social distancing.
The Village and its Police Department will continue to work to ensure the safety of its residents and those seeking to exercise their rights of free speech in the Village.
# # #