Protest/Counter-protest Guidance
01 Jul 20 |
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As your State Captain, I have already mentioned to many of you in the past, PGR and/or PGRPA gear IS NOT TO BE WORN at any political campaign rally, but this also includes protests for or against an issue! Don’t do it and put our organization at risk for a myriad of troubles … lawsuits for one, as well as the media twisting our intentions regarding being a shield for mourning families from protests groups. They’ve done worse.
If you plan on attending any protests such as this, ENSURE you remove or cover any/all PGR accoutrements that could be seen as PGR’s approval/disapproval of the event.
Contact me DIRECTLY with any questions or concerns, but if you do go VFR Direct to our National President, have the decency and respect enough to Courtesy Copy me in your message to him.
Respectfully,
ⓋTimmaye!!!
Timothy N Smith
Master Sergeant, United States Air Force (Retired)
State Captain
Senior Ride Captain, Region 10
From our National PGR President:
“Members of the Patriot Guard Riders,
These are tumultuous times in the United States of America. That is an understatement.
Your National Patriot Guard Riders leadership has received and continues to receive multiple requests to become involved in the upheaval in some way. I feel that you deserve to hear our response directly from me.
This organization, the Patriot Guard Riders, has a defined mission. We exist to bring Comfort and show Honor that has been earned by this nation’s defenders. We stand in hot sun and cold rain, not to make a political statement, but to honor our Fallen Warriors, our Veterans, our First Responders.
The Patriot Guard Riders is a strictly non-political organization. Since all of the upheaval occurring around the country is, at it’s root, a political issue – we are forbidden by our own Mission Statement and governing by-laws from injecting ourselves into the matter.
Additionally, as a 501c3 non-profit organization, IRS rules prohibit our involvement in any political issue. To do so would jeopardize our tax exempt status.
The short answer, Patriot Guard Riders will not become involved in protesting or counter protesting. We will continue to stand in hot sun and cold rain with our flags. We will strictly conform to our stated mission.
If you decide to become involved on either side of these protests, we respect your right to do so. We do ask that you not wear any clothing or accessories that carries our name. Doing so would create the illusion that the PGR is involved.
Thank you for your understanding, your Patriotism and your dedication to those whom we proudly serve.
