Flynn calls for 'major changes' or moving St. Patrick's Day parade from South Boston

A city councilor wants people showing up for St. Patrick's Day in Boston to show a little more respect.

Decrying what he called an " 'anything goes' attitude" by celebrants at Boston's St. Patrick's Day parade, City Councilor Ed Flynn took to social media to demand "major changes" or a switch-up to the event's route through South Boston.

"We must make major changes and implement a zero tolerance for public drinking, any form of violence, fighting and destruction of property and other quality of life issues," he wrote in a Facebook post Monday evening.

"If we are not able to meet basic standards of decency and respect the South Boston neighborhood, the parade should be moved out of South Boston indefinitely," he added.

Speaking with WBUR, Flynn said he saw many families, veterans, seniors, and young professionals enjoying the festivities and celebrating "the rich history of Evacuation Day." However, he said he was "disappointed" in many attendees, calling the behavior at this year's parade "worse" than previous years and in conflict with his obligation to ensure the parade stay "family-friendly."

He said his office received multiple calls from residents "disgusted with the behavior of many young people that came into South Boston and really treated our neighborhood with disrespect."

While Flynn does not have the authority to move the parade route, he said he will keep up his appeals to move the parade to downtown Boston if the atmosphere doesn't "meet basic standards of decency."

Flynn represents District 2, which includes downtown Boston, South Boston, the South End, Chinatown, Fort Point, Bay Village and parts of Beacon Hill and Back Bay.

For nearly 120 years, South Boston has hosted the parade; before 1901, it was held downtown. The parade winds through Southie along a 3.5-mile-long route, draws enormous crowds, with visitors packing bars between Broadway Station and L Street, among other spots.