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St. Patrick's Day with the Vice President: Voices from Inside the Security Zone
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“What a perfect day for a parade." That sentiment was echoed by locals and visitors alike lining the route for Savannah’s 2018 St. Patrick’s Day celebration on a sunny, spring Saturday.
This year two longstanding traditions were challenged. First, the U.S Army asked that women not kiss their soldiers while they marched, citing concerns that it makes them look less professional. Plenty of other cadets and officers bore telltale bright red lipstick marks on their cheeks as they marched.
After days of speculation, on Tuesday city officials announced Vice President Mike Pence would attend and walk part of the parade route. Working with the Secret Service, local law enforcement and parade organizers created a secure zone that spanned from City Hall through two historic squares. The area was gated in and people were told not to bring folding chairs, coolers, backpacks, purses, tents and alcoholic beverages. At first, signs were also banned but the city reversed that decision after the ACLU threatened to file suit.
People entering the security zone had to pass through security checkpoints into an area guarded by helicopters and snipers atop City Hall and other buildings.
We spoke with several people watching the parade inside the zone – from Pence supporters to protestors and others just there to enjoy the festivities. Here’s what they said.
Mike Spivey traveled with his wife from Calhoun, in north Georgia. Though they’ve been to Savannah before, this was their first St. Patrick’s Day here. “I love Savannah and the history all over the east coast. So much deep revolutionary history. I enjoy watching people – the great diversity of people here.” He is a Pence supporter but says he hopes the VP’s appearance isn’t politically-motivated.
Jamie Cartright has lived in Savannah for two years. “We are watching the St. Patrick’s Day parade and also expressing our views on Vice President Mike Pence and the Trump Administration. This is my first St. Patrick’s Day Parade and my first public political expression. I plan to hold up a sign. I am wearing a t-shirt that says ‘hate is not our leader.’ My sign says ‘I stand with Planned Parenthood’ because I believe that women’s rights are human rights and, for Christians, women are also created in the image of God and do not lose that state when they are pregnant… I’ve seen some ‘make America great’ hats I’ve heard some interesting commentaries on dissent for the administration but there are people here who are ready and willing to state, in a nonviolent completely within their first amendment rights way that we don’t like where this is going and VP Pence your presence is slightly less than welcome. It’s made security a lot tighter. I do believe there may be slightly fewer people just because the security has to be so strict. That being said, I do want to salute all the security forces, secret service and all the different agencies who are tasked with a very difficult mission which is keep everyone safe without being repressive.”
Jaunice Stafford is a longtime Savannah resident who was watching the parade with her family: “This is not a normal parade day. Normally, you don’t see all of these barricades and the police presence is absolutely phenomenal. Snipers on the rooftop of the city hall makes you feel a little uneasy but safe at the same time. But this is not a normal parade day. I thought (the secure zone) wouldn’t be as crowded as it normally is and we wouldn’t have the drinking and excessive partying along the parade route here.” She also supports the informal ban on kissing soldiers. “I think it was a good choice. It was getting out of hand last year.”
Phillip Stover has lived in Savannah for 9 years: “I normally come (to the parade) every year. It’s very different (this year). Security is strong. My wife has a pacemaker so she had to be searched – she couldn’t go through it. Other than that, it’s a lot different. People are not drunk. I think it should be like this every year – a little more crowd control. I don’t know if we need the snipers on the buildings but I think the police presence needs to be a little bit more. A lot of soberness, a lot of people out here probably to just see the VP and the parade – that’s why I’m here. I voted for him, I want to see him! I think it’s awesome. It’s one of the best things. We need more of that here because Savannah is, with the port and all, part of the financial income for probably a lot of the country. And they’ve given us a lot of federal funds for the port, so that’s also very good.”
Lee-Alice Brown and her son, Jayden, live in Savannah, come to the parade every year: Lee-Alice: “It’s different because the vice president is here, of course. It’s a historical thing to see because that’s never happened before so we thought we should bring the kids to see that.” Jayden: “It’s different because I’ve never seen people (snipers) on the roof or windows open. And it’s different because I never saw that much security.” Lee-Alice: “It’s (usually) more free and a lot more options.” Jayden: “I like (the enhanced security zone) that they took our oranges because you shouldn’t throw oranges at people, because that’s violent.” Lee-Alice: “They made us put the orange in the trash before we came into the zone. Of course you can’t bring drinks in, whereas before you could just drink freely. But it’s nice. As far as with kids, I think it’s a better option. I think it separates more the family and the party people because the parade is still gonna go on the outside - the party people are staying out there and we’re staying in here. More kids have places to stand and things to do and you don’t have to worry about anything crazy happening. (The increased security) definitely makes you feel safer.” Jayden: “Yeah because if somebody tries to attack you, the police can already see them. I look forward to seeing candy and drums because I really love to dance and I love music.”
Mike Morris is a Savannah native: “This is 54 years in a row at this parade. Never seen anything like it (this year) – the restriction of movement. I just went through some checkpoints – I’ve done the bag check like three times back and forth trying to get through the zones. It’s unusual to say the least. (I chose to be in the safety zone) because I just want to see the Vice President. I voted for (Trump/Pence). So I figured I’d just come check it out and see what the crowd says and the crowd reaction. I tell you, the crowd reaction as far as these zones, go – not good. If he’d have said ‘hey I think I’m gonna come to the parade’ they should have said no. Wrong place, wrong time. This is a Savannah festival, it’s been going on a long time. For the Vice President to disrupt it, I think, was an issue. I’m sure these businesses (in the security zone) are not happy. I’ve never seen anything like this.”
Morgan Ricard is a student who’s lived in Savannah for three years. She was at the parade with friends in order to protest: “So far it’s honestly been pretty good responses to us having anti-Pence slogans all over our bodies. I’m here mostly because of Pence’s stance on reproductive health, particularly for women but for everyone in general. During his time serving for Indiana they did not have any really big issues with HIV before and now they have a full-blown epidemic. Conversion/shock therapy – I’m not cool with that. Defunding Planned Parenthood: not okay with me. Basically I believe that any time that a politician is creating laws it should be for the people, no matter what, stats show that people are actually getting hurt in response to his beliefs. And that surpasses party lines, in my opinion... So far there’s heavy police force. You’re seeing people in actual bulletproof vests and snipers on top of the buildings. I don’t think the actual festivities have been changed. There wasn’t supposed to be open container (inside the safety zone) but there is. There weren’t supposed to be purses but there are, so it’s a lot less strict than I thought it was going to be. But people are definitely aware of the extreme security presence. Normally on St. Patrick’s Day I’d be drunk but I decided not to do that because I wanted to make a statement and I wanted it to be legitimized, not just a drunk college student, so that’s a very big difference for sure. I think it would have been wise if Savannah had listened to its population that most of us did not want Pence coming here. It’s people in surrounding cities that wanted him to come through. We made it very clear we don’t want him here.”
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