On Nov. 30, Branford hosted its annual tree lighting parade.

Halfway through the parade, I was surprised to see a semi-truck come down the parade line with a Trump 2024 flag prominently displayed above the vehicle, complete with a photoshopped image of the president-elect in a cowboy hat.

I was even more surprised to learn as the truck passed that the bed of the truck was filled with children from the Branford Little League team – this was their float.

Regardless of political views, it struck me as a gross overreach by the parents to politicize a float for a children’s baseball team. Branford should not be a town that participates in scapegoating children to voice political support while ostracizing other children or families who are a part of the team and end up not participating because the only avenue to do so is via a political float.

I would hope it would be obvious why allowing this event to be politicized both undermines the event and risks turning it into a political rally in future years - for any and all political parties - rather than being a children-centered Christmas event for the town.

As a parent of a child who is just becoming old enough to participate in parks and rec activities, I am disappointed to now have to wonder which teams and activities have been coopted by parents as ideological clubs rather than community-oriented extracurriculars.

Andrew Gangidine

Branford