South Boston

Flynn ‘fed up' with behavior at St. Patrick's Day Parade, floats moving it out of Southie

City Councilor Ed Flynn, who represents South Boston, is calling for a zero-tolerance policy on public drinking, fighting and destruction of property at the neighborhood's famed St. Patrick's Day festivities

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City Councilor Ed Flynn, who represents the neighborhood, is pushing to move the historic St. Patrick’s Day Parade out of South Boston if drinking, fighting and property destruction don’t end.

The St. Patrick's Day Parade has been an annual tradition in South Boston for decades, but rowdy behavior associated with the festivities have a city leader calling for change.

City Councilor Ed Flynn, whose district includes South Boston, says there needs to be a crackdown, including a zero-tolerance policy on public drinking, fighting, and destruction of property.

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"Over the last several years, it's turned into a place for people to come to party for three days," said Flynn. "It's a Mardi Gras atmosphere."

NBC10 Boston obtained disturbing video of a fight that unfolded at Medal of Honor Park in South Boston Sunday during this year's parade. At least three people can be seen assaulting a man, who then tumbles down an embankment, gets kicked and smashes into a fence, and then has things thrown at him.

Did you miss Sunday's Boston St. Patrick's Day Parade? We've got you covered.

Flynn says there needs to be major changes. He floated the idea of bringing in the National Guard to monitor MBTA stations before, during and after the parade, and perhaps even moving the parade out of the neighborhood and into downtown Boston.

"I'm fed up," said Flynn. "I don't necessarily want to see the parade move, but I don't want to see this behavior continue, either."

"I think people love having the parade in Southie, so I couldn't imagine it being moved downtown," said South Boston resident Mallory McArdle.

Multiple events throughout the day in Boston were held to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.

"You've got to keep it here. This is where people come, this is the heart of Irish. You've got to keep it here," added resident Maddie Connelly.

As for the fight that broke out on Sunday, sources say it is under investigation, but it's unknown if anyone has been arrested for this incident.

NBC10 Boston reached out to the parade organizers, but they said they had no comment about Flynn's remarks.

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