Coast Guard ejects environmental vessel from NYC parade

The U.S. Coast Guard stated that the vessel’s banners violated a pre-event agreement requiring participants to abstain from displaying politically charged statements. According to officials, the crew was given an ultimatum to remove the signage or depart the fleet. When the organization refused to comply, they were forced out of the procession, which featured over 40 tall ships traveling from New Jersey to the George Washington Bridge.

Jen Benson, the group’s director of advocacy, rejected the Coast Guard's account, asserting that officials demanded the vessel leave the route under threat of arrest rather than offering a chance to remove the banners. She argued that advocating for clean water should not be categorized as a partisan issue, noting the cause historically garners bipartisan support. The parade was organized as part of the Freedom 250 initiative, a project launched during the Trump administration to coordinate celebrations for the nation's upcoming 250th anniversary.