Community Corner
Coventry Arts Fair Canceled: Most Commenters Say City 'Gave In To Fear'
The Coventry Family Arts Festival has been canceled, and people aren't happy about it.
The Coventry Family Arts Festival has been canceled.
And people aren't happy about it.
Since news broke Thursday afternoon that the city was canceling the fair, residents have added their two-cents to the comments on the original article and also launched discussions on social media, including the Cleveland Heights Patch Facebook Page.
The fair was canceled because of worries -- based on social media buzz -- that people were going to attempt to disrupt the fair. That's what happened in 2011 that led to dozens of arrests and city officials to cancel the street fair in 2012 and even issue a curfew for teens.
Here's a roundup of the opinions out there. Add your own thoughts to the comments below!
Don't Give In To Fear
The most common reaction was criticizing the city for giving in to a threat.Diane DiPiero Rodio said:
So let me get this straight: We live in a culturally rich community, but we're going to forsake culture because we are going to give into fear. Then we have lost. If we don't have a serious discussion soon about the problems we have in our communities and how to solve them, we won't be having any cultural or public events. We'll be sitting in our homes with the doors locked.
Michael Brennan said: "Black eye to the city, self-inflicted by overreaction."
Safety A Legitimate Concern
Cindy Young said on Facebook:I believe that it was determined from social media that it would be an unsafe event for families. Yes, this is really sad for our community but I also respect the decision to keep our families safe. I was at the last COventry Street Fair that went bad and it was not safe for families.I dont know what the answer is to peacefully get our community back. Maybe we should start a social media campaign....
Bonnie Dolezal said:
So are you saying that the Cleveland Heights made this all up? I am very sure they did not. If they would have allowed the event to go forward and there was trouble then you all would have blamed the police and said they should have not allowed it due to other incidents recently. In my opinion the Coventry Street fair is not that significant an event in Cleveland Hts. We don't need it. I am glad it's cancelled! I agree with CH council on this!
Bad Communication The Culprit
Tony Ensminger said on Facebook: The Feast in little Italy will go on as planned because the entire community is involved, works together and deals with rather than stand by and watches bad behavior.Fran Mentch said:
In the future I hope the police and city officials will communicate with the community ahead of time and ask for our help and support. If everyone going to the festival was asked to be alert and report suspicious behavior it would be a big help in "crowd control". The police and the community have to support each other and work together...
No Good Decision
JP said:The police and mayor were in a no win situation. Don't cancell the event something bad happens, and folks ask for their heads. Cancel the event and folks want their heads. Use strong arm tactics to control the event and they are called facisit pigs. Dont use strong arm tactics they are called weak. I dont have a better idea. If you do run for city council or mayor and impliment them.
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