Coast Guard removes environmentalist ship from US 250th anniversary parade over political banners

The US Coast Guard removed an environmental group's vessel from a fleet celebrating the nation's 250th anniversary in New York Harbor because its banners were deemed "politically charged." The ship, owned by the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, displayed messages such as "Save the Clean Water Act" and "Indigenous Rights, Racial Justice, Climate Solutions."

The Coast Guard stated that participants had agreed to avoid political statements. When the vessel's owner declined to remove the banners, the Coast Guard ordered the ship to leave the parade or face potential arrest.

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The owner of the sloop Clearwater was contacted and requested to remove the message being displayed or be removed from the parade of sail. They declined to remove it.

Jen Benson, director of advocacy and communications for Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, disputed the Coast Guard's characterization. She asserted that the group was not asked to remove the messages but was instead told to leave the sailing route. Benson argued that advocating for clean water should not be considered a political stance, noting that such efforts have broad support across the political spectrum.

The Sail4th 250 event was part of broader celebrations organized by Freedom 250, a group established by the Trump administration. The parade featured over 40 tall ships from 20 different countries navigating New York Harbor.

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We don't feel like advocating for clean water is a politically charged message. People on all sides of the aisle, and no sides at all, have been fighting in the United States for clean water in different ways.