Peace group sets deadline to avoid legal action over July 4 snub

The peace group that was barred from marching in Brainerd's Fourth of July parade has set a deadline that, if met, would resolve the matter two days before area residents line up for St. Patrick's Day parades.

The coalition informed the Brainerd City Council last week that essential elements of a settlement to avoid legal action must be completed and ratified by the council by March 15 or BACP would file a lawsuit promptly.

Larry Fisk, a spokesman for the Brainerd Area Coalition for Peace, said Friday the group's March 15 deadline was coincidental and had nothing to do with St. Patrick's Day. He said the decision to set the deadline and communicate directly with the council was an effort to make sure all the involved parties were "up to speed" on the issue.

"We want to settle it and be done with it," he said. " We have other stuff we want to do."

In a statement, Fisk said the essential elements of a settlement that would fully address BACP's concerns have been known to the city's counsel, Clifford Greene, for months. Fisk said Greene offered a settlement proposal in January that was rejected by the peace group and its counsel, Tim Branson.

Fisk said his group is not looking for any monetary compensation, but was looking to protect its rights to protest and to defend the First Amendment.

Neither Fisk nor Greene, would detail their proposed settlements.

"Their attorney and I are engaged in constructive, ongoing discussion on ways to resolve this matter and my efforts will be directed through that channel rather than through the media," Greene said.

He confirmed he received notice of the group's deadline.

"I'm confident we'll resolve this," he said.

City Council President Jim Dehen could not be reached for comment Friday afternoon.