SEATTLE — The Dolls and Gents Drill Team and Drumline has been removed from the annual Seafair Torchlight parade, one week after a group of unaffiliated teens were arrested with guns at the Chinatown-International District parade.
According to court documents in the gun case, the mother of a murdered member of the drill team suggested the teens were involved in her son's death and were at the parade to harm the victim's friends on the team.
Police have not publicly acknowledged any connection between teens arrested at the parade and the murder, which happened on July 12 in Auburn.
Seafair CEO Eric Corning did not specify what led to the decision, but told KING 5 it was made in consultation with the Seattle Police Department (SPD).
"It's been a very hard decision to make this week," said Corning. "It comes down to erring on the side of public safety. We're trying to do our very best to be able to make sure this parade is as safe as we can with the information we have."
Seafair also released the following statement:
"We want to emphasize that the youth involved in the Dolls and Gents program have done nothing wrong. Unfortunately, due to the reckless decisions of others, the team is being impacted. This decision is purely a protective measure, made with the well-being of the team and our community in mind.
"Until the investigation into the Chinatown incident is complete, it is best to err on the side of caution. We are committed to ensuring that the team will not be put in harm's way. Our priority remains the safety of all participants and attendees at Seafair events.
"Seafair looks forward to welcoming the Doll and Gents Drill Team back next year. We thank the community for their understanding and support during this time"
Drill team parents say they're being treated unfairly.
"We can hold multiple truths at the same time. We can say the team experiences the realities of gun violence and impact but also that (victim) isn't defined by a moment, a moment in time. He was loved and cared for. That's how our team experienced him," said Zzaj Collins, whose four daughters are members of the team.
She believes the organization should have been involved in any discussion about potential security issues.
"The problem is when we're not invited to the table to be a part of defining what safety looks like for the community," Collins said. "This was an isolated incident and you've now punished the victims of this experience."
Makessa Jackson, a Dolls and Gents co-founder, issued a statement on Friday.
"Our organization has been a cornerstone of the community for nearly 20 years. We are the largest community Drill team and Drumline in Washington state with members ages 5-18. We should have been included in the decision-making process from the start if Seafair had concerns. We only found out about our removal on Thursday evening and had no clue this was even being discussed. In their statement made today they state that 'The youth of the Dolls and Gents have done nothing wrong,' but yet we were removed from the lineup. Our primary concern is the safety of our children, so any issues should have been addressed with us on Monday. We are deeply saddened by the decision Seafair made."