Graphic protests ruined street fair

I understand and respect everyone’s right to have their own opinion and their right to free speech. Having said that, there is a proper time and place for certain topics. I took my family to the Garland Street Fair on Saturday for a relaxing , fun family outing.

I, was appalled by the fact that at the entrance to the Street Fair (in front of the theater) an antiabortion rally was taking place. They were completely blocking the entire street with a man screaming at the crowd with a bullhorn. They had young children holding signs with pictures of aborted babies.

This was to be a family event and families were leaving in droves so their children wouldn’t be exposed to the rantings and the pictures. As we left the police presence was growing and the fair-goers’ anger was escalating. I tried to comfort a mother at the store across the street as she was asking “how do I explain this to my autistic daughter that’s crying and traumatized?”

This should never have been allowed to happen in the family setting of the Garland Street Fair. Shame on you Garland Fair organizers!

Janet Chavez

Spokane