The region-wide parade to celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday in Arlington has been canceled.
The City of Arlington declined to issue a permit for the event, after organizers "failed to meet event planning and security-related funding requirements," according to a .
"A permit is required for parades on public streets, public parks or other outdoor spaces owned by the City. The organizers of Monday鈥檚 scheduled Toyota North Texas Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade have not provided the required payment to cover the City鈥檚 personnel and equipment costs for traffic management and event security, as required by the City鈥檚 Special Events Ordinance," the statement continues.
City Manager Trey Yelverton said the city has 鈥渂een accommodating and there was a final requests and that request was not fulfilled,鈥� the reports.
鈥淭here is a significant burden and we have to be sure that burden is not borne by the taxpayers,鈥� he said. 鈥淲hen we came down to four days before the event was supposed to take place and the costs burdens had not been met we had to cancel the event.鈥�
Event spokesman Winsor Barbee told the Star-Telegram that the parade cost about $250,000, but the group was about $60,000 short after some sponsors pulled their funding because of the potential for a boycott.
Organizers , but they're not optimistic.
Abbott's involvement
Earlier this week, local activists and organizations for enlisting Gov. Greg Abbott as honorary grand marshal.
Dominique Alexander from the said he was shocked when he heard Abbott was given top billing at the festivities.
鈥淲e will not tolerate this, and we call for an effective boycott of the North Texas Martin Luther King Parade,鈥� Alexander said, calling the decision an 鈥渋nsult to the black community.鈥�
I am a Christian, I've committed my life to ensuring justice, I come in peace. The day will be a worthy celebration of all the good Martin Luther King Jr. did for America. I serve as Governor for all Texans.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX)
The Arlington chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People said Abbott鈥檚 inclusion, 鈥渟tings with hypocrisy.鈥�
鈥淚t鈥檚 a shame that some are politicizing what should be a unifying event,鈥� said , deputy communications director for the governor鈥檚 office.
Plans this weekend
Other festivities that are part of the four-day celebration will still go on as scheduled. The city encourages people to attend the .
Christopher Connelly contributed to this report.
