A federal judge in Boston has ruled that the city's annual St. Patrick's Day parade can march along its usual route after the city's mayor and police commissioner had tried to shorten it.
U.S. District Judge Richard Stearns said Tuesday that parade organizers have a First Amendment right to march along the longer route.
Stearns noted that the parade's route hasn't changed in 20 years. It was shortened last year because of large snow piles.
The South Boston Allied War Veterans Council on Monday filed a lawsuit. They say the city never consulted with them on the change.
Democratic Mayor Marty Walsh decided earlier this month after consulting with Police Commissioner William Evans to cut the March 20 parade's route from 3.2 miles to 1.4 miles over public safety concerns.
