ST. LOUIS — St. Louis police and firefighters are taking extra safety measures ahead of the 141st America's Birthday Parade that runs along Market Street.
Police Chief Robert Tracy said at a news conference that he believes pro-Palestinian protesters might attempt to interrupt the parade in downtown St. Louis. He thinks it could be the same type of protest that stopped the Grand Pride Parade on Sunday.
"We have gathered intelligence that suggests protesters may attempt to disrupt the parade on Thursday, using a so-called Sleeping Dragon tactic," Tracy said.
The tactic is a human chain, in which people handcuff or chain themselves together inside PVC pipes. It's the same tactic used during the Pride parade.
"Who brings PVC piping to a parade? Someone that might want to be doing what we just saw last week," said Chief Tracy.
Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson said cutting into the PVC pipes is complex and potentially dangerous.
"It takes a lot of training. We do it to make sure that we can move the protesters and keep the parade going. We're not trying to eliminate their ability to protest and get their word out. We give them their rights, but when we have to remove them, we do it safely," he said.
The group behind the protests told news reporters earlier this week that the July 4 parade will likely be their next target.
"We're just looking forward to continuing to escalate for Palestine. The Fourth of July is part of the future that we look forward to," protester Sarah Nixon said.
Police arrested 19 protesters after delaying the Pride parade for an hour.
"That held up that parade for a pretty long time. And a lot of people were very unhappy about that," Tracy said. "But we had to take the necessary precautions to make sure that we moved them. If we can prevent them, if we see someone with PVC piping, or they're trying to set up, we will address that situation before they get on to the parade to make sure that they don't get on there and disrupt and trespass and stop everybody's right to watch a parade."
Officials want parade-goers to be aware and be on the lookout.
"That's why we need help from the public. We can't do this alone. We need more eyes on what's going on to point those things out, and then we'll act accordingly," Tracy said.
If protesters interrupt the parade, Tracy said, "We plan to give them a warning to disperse. And if they do not heed that warning, we will make arrests. We believe the group that was there was not willing to negotiate at all. They had demands that couldn't be met, and we gave the warnings and removed them accordingly and safely, as you all saw."
Tracy and Jenkerson say to call 911 immediately if you see someone carrying PVC pipes at the parade.
Meanwhile, Tracy said those attending will see extra police at the parade and Celebrate St. Louis festivities.