Mayor Marty Walsh wished the entire city of Boston a Happy St. Patrick’s Day, but not from the annual parade route.
Walsh opted not to take part in the parade after talks between the mayor and parade organizers on allowing an LGBTQ friendly organization to march died.
In a statement released by Walsh, the Mayor said he was disappointed that he would be unable to participate in the parade. He added that, as Mayor, he held certain obligations to all of the people of Boston .
“I have to do my best to ensure that all Bostonians are free to participate fully in the civic life of our city,” read Walsh’s statement. “Unfortunately, this year, the parties were not able to come to an understanding that would have made that possible.”
Mayor Walsh did participate in the breakfast with Senator Linda Dorcena Forry and said in his statement that he intended to spend the rest of the afternoon with his family.
The St. Patrick’s Day parade has been celebrated in Boston since 1901.