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ACLU: City Council Shouldn't Press For LGBT Group's Inclusion In Utah Parade

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - A watchdog legal group is warning that the Salt Lake City Council will tread on free speech if it goes through with a plan to formally urge Utah's biggest parade to include a previously rejected LGBT group.

Organizers of the Days of '47 Parade, a private nonprofit, denied a float bid from Mormons Building Bridges in recent weeks. They cited a policy of rejecting floats that could spark political debate.

Council members last week resolved to officially ask organizers to reverse the decision.

They could not immediately be reached by phone Tuesday.

The Utah American Civil Liberties Union in a public letter Tuesday told council members the First Amendment bars government officials from influencing a parade's makeup, adding the law is strongest when it protects speech the government condemns.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press.

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