Greg Abbott knocks Austin over COVID-19 restrictions for Veterans Day parade

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) is criticizing Austin over COVID-19 restrictions that led to the cancellation of a Veterans Day parade in the city.

The Austin Veterans Day Parade Foundation announced last month that this year’s parade would be canceled because the city required the organizers to “verify all participants and spectators to have either a current negative Covid test or be vaccinated” for the outdoor parade.

“This is something that we could not do as we anticipated some 30,000 attendees to the parade,” the foundation said at the time. “We are hopeful that in 2022, the restrictions on public gatherings will be back to normal.”

In a statement on Tuesday, Abbott invited the foundation to host a rally at the Texas state Capitol, blasting the “stringent COVID-19 regulations” in Austin. He said the city “placed an undue burden on large events like the 2021 Veterans Day Parade.” 

“The State of Texas will always support our military veterans, and we are committed to ensuring that the traditions of Veterans Day are kept alive in the capital city,” the governor said

Guidance from the Austin Center of Events (ACE), which handles permitting for special events, says organizers have to conduct screening of all attendees, including ensuring that they test negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours of entering the event.

Organizers are also responsible for developing strategies to maintain 6 feet of social distancing and “mask zones” in areas where social distancing is not possible.

A spokesperson for the center told The Dallas Morning News that it doesn’t require organizers to ensure that participants are vaccinated.

The center told The Hill in a statement that it “proactively reached out” to the organizers for the Veterans Day parade to help them understand mitigation requirements. 

“On September 28th, the organizers notified ACE that they decided to cancel the event citing the health  requirements for an event with 30,000 attendees,” the center said. “The City is now working with the Parade Foundation on a ribbon cutting dedication ceremony for the Veteran’s Pocket Park.”

Austin Veterans Parade Foundation Chairman Jim Darwin said the group “must respectfully decline” Abbott’s offer because it has already committed to dedicating the Austin Veterans Park instead of the parade. 

However, he said the city’s requirements were too much to handle.

“It is our hope that we can have our Veterans Day parade and celebration next year and that everyone will stay safe on this Veterans Day!” Darwin added.

Abbott has repeatedly criticized coronavirus restrictions and has issued executive orders barring local officials from imposing mask mandates. He recently barred “any entity” in Texas from requiring vaccinations for employees or customers.

Austin has previously defied Abbott’s orders, notably getting into a legal battle after issuing a mask mandate despite the governor’s orders.

—Updated at 1:57 p.m.