Show your support for the injustice that was give to Doris de Hilster and the Brazilian Community when she was wrongly expelled from the Rose Parade on January 1, 2010. This letter will be sent to the Tournament of Rose Parade.
There was a terrible incident that happened to Brazilian and carnaval costume artist Doris de Hilster at the beginning of the 121st Rose Parade in Pasadena California on January 1, 2010, that was egregious and inexcusable. As many know, SambaLá had 65 performers who were participating in the parade on and around a float. All participants including Doris had signed the proper forms and had permission to be on the parade route for the entire parade.
There was shortage of wrist bands for the parade and as many as 20 SambaLá people entered the parade without wristband credentials and paraded the entire time without them. Formation officers found people without wristbands and radioed parade officials about the problem. They were told that indeed there was a shortage of wristbands and to let the people continue. This was right before the most important part of the Parade route at the corner of the Norton Simon Museum where the entire world's media is found.
One "formation" officer (whose name will be included in the official letter), forcibly removed Doris from the parade because she had no wristband. He failed to check as did the other formation officers about what to do about the missing wristbands and never let Doris explain the situation. Every time Doris tried to explain, he would not let her speak and cut her off.
Vitemar Arnold was with Doris and witnessed everything reporting that the formation officer was very belligerent, and despite pleas from Doris to call over production people from the float to verify the lack of wristbands and her being officially listed as a chaperone for the group, the officer used physical force and threatened to call the police if she didn't leave.
Doris was physically removed from the parade being shoved into the grandstands. She was very angry and distraught. She tried to find her way out of the parade area and ended up walking about 2 miles and got lost. She was crying and exhausted from so many nights, weeks, and sleepless hours making and designing the beautiful costumes for the parade and to be thrown out from the very parade she helped create, was devastating to her. She called her father-in-law who was all the way in Long Beach to come get her. He dropped everything, came as soon as he could, and when he found her, they cried in each other's arms.
We have witnesses to all aspects of this unfortunate event and part of the expulsion can be seen on the television coverage from one of the major television stations of which we have a recording.
Doris worked for 3 months on the costumes for the parade sleeping 3 to 4 hours a night in the last weeks. She put in hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars of her own money into the costumes above and beyond the budget in order to make them even more special for the event. She like many in the Rose Parade donated her time, talents, and money.
Because of this belligerent formation officer, Doris was robbed of an once-in-a-lifetime chance to be with and help with the group during the parade. Doris was in the parade to take care of costume problems. Her removal made a difference as clearly seen in the television coverage where the "mestre-sale" costume headpiece had already broken down (seen on various television station coverages) and Doris was not there to help fix such incidents. All fixing and helping then rested on one person for 65 people and put undue stress on the entire situation.
We in the Brazilian community are horrified with the treatment of Doris de Hilster, a well-known and respected person in the local and international Brazilian community. The treatment she received, the emotional stress she went through, and the fact she could neither help with the parade which was greatly needed could not celebrate with her samba school, have no justification and was a great mistake on the part of the Rose Parade. The verbal abuse and physical removal from the parade that almost caused her to fall and hurt herself, are beyond unacceptable.
This behavior is inexcusable and should not go undocumented. We in the Brazilian community ask that the Tournament of Rose Parade apologize and in some way make up for this egregious treatment of someone as important as Doris de Hilster in our community. Such things should never happen again to anyone and should not go unnoticed or unresolved.
We await the Tournament of Roses response and recognition of this egregious act.
| Alex Padilla |
Fan |
(East Village,Long Beach) |
| Shame on you Rose Parade official! You should be physically removed from your position!! |
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| Ralph S. Ford |
|
(Los Angeles) |
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| Lala Johnson |
|
(Houston, TC) |
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| Olga Castaneda |
wow.... |
(Pensacola, FL) |
| This is a perfect example of a police officer who decided to go on a power trip and abused his authority..... Hope he gets what he deserves. |
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| Janie Eschmann |
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(Oklahoma) |
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| Gus Olm |
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(Pasadena) |
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| Melody Campbell |
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(Cypress, CA) |
| I am so sorry that this happened to Doris. She dedicated her time,heart,life and family for this event. It was truly a sacrifice of love and she deserved to be able to participate in the parade. |
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| James Otto |
|
(Northridge) |
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| Ana Massette |
|
(Los Angeles) |
Samabala is Doris first Child.
You NEVER can take a Mom away from her child and do this in the most important day day their life is just UNACCEPTABLE. |
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| Liliane Fernandes |
|
(Los Angeles, CA) |
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| Brittney Nicole Moore |
Sambala member |
(Long Beach) |
| comment awaiting approval |
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| jose sousa |
|
(garden grove,ca) |
| comment awaiting approval |
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| Erica Lynn Blyther |
Samba Dancer |
(Los Angeles, CA, USA) |
| Doris was treated in an unfair & deplorable way! This was an unjust act that was totally preventable and should never have occured! Proper procedures should have been followed. |
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| Diana Marie Frontella |
|
(Santa Clara, CA) |
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| Lisandry Salgado |
|
(Hemet, CA) |
| How upsetting this moment would have been for anyone. It's awful to put your heart and hard work into something and then not reap the rewards. The Rose Parade committee knows what the right thing to do is, apologize. Mistakes happen especially in big events like the Rose Parade, so why the hesitation. A simple I'm sorry and maybe have her sit on a float next year. It won't make up for not riding on the one she helped with, but it would still be an awesome experience nonetheless, better that this years right? Just a suggestion. |
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| Roberto Banderas |
Photographer |
(Brea, California) |
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| Liza Krassner |
Chief Administrative Officer, DPHDP-Public Health |
(Irvine, CA) |
| This is a very disturbing incident. There should have been some efforts for extending courtesies by the formation officer that would been as simple as contacting the next level or a member of the organizing group(s). Doris de Hilster is a professional - such conduct should not be tolerated under any circumstances by espcially by those folks whom you hire to represent you. I think that an apology is warranted. |
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| Marcela Oliveira |
|
|
| Lack of respect not only because they removed her from the parade but because they didn't believe or didn't stop to listen what she was tryng to explain. As if she was a child, crazy or what ?! |
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| Valeria Ruggieri |
Promoter, Choreographer, Vice-President |
(Long Beach) |
| I am one of the Sambala Members who have been working very long hours with Doris for over 10 years in many different events. However, the 2010 Rose Parade was the one that has taken the most time, physical demand, work effort, attention to detail, and lots of patience! This is the most we have ever worked for an event. And whenever we left around 2-3AM - she stayed and saw the son come up and went back early again, so Sambala could represent the Brazilian community properly. Whenever Doris says "I will do it" - she is fully committed and you can always expect the best! Nothing less! There are no words to properly describe what happened to her and it should never happen to anyone else! |
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| Leila Ileana Velez |
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(West Hollywood, CA) |
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| Rochelle Visaya |
|
(Long Beach) |
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| Cristina Cavoto |
|
(Santa Barbara,CA) |
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| Kea Meyers |
|
(Los Angeles, CA) |
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| Leoncio Martins |
|
(Santa Barbara, CA 93110) |
| I hope The Rose Parade organizer would apologize for this egregious act. Shame, shame, shame........ |
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| Ana Soriano |
|
(Long Beach, CA) |
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| Liliana Geraldine Falabella |
Journalist- International Correspondent |
(Los Angeles) |
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| Jeri Williams |
Art Consultant |
(Los Angeles, CA) |
| I am shocked and appalled that Doris de Hilster was treated in such a unacceptably inhumane manner - The Tournament of Rose Parade does indeed - at the VERY least - owe Ms. Hilster a formal apology ; such inappropriate behavior should never be ignored from such a high profile organization - shame on Pasadena, especially with the world watching ! |
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| Marcus Weakley |
|
(Pasadena, CA) |
This is unbelieveable. The men and women who wear the white suits, represent the Tournament of Roses, and work on the Rose Parade are VOLUNTEERS. My father has been one for many years. I can't help but feel that the Tournament should not only apologize to Doris officially, but also disallow further involvement with the Tournament of Roses to whomever removed her in this egregious way. This was disgraceful. I understand the complexity of administering an event of this size, but this was a gross mistake and needs to be addressed. Here is the opportunity for the Tournament to work to correct this major mistake and create the changes necessary to assure that it will never happen again. I am sure you, the Tournament are not proud of volunteers who represent you in this way and put such a special and historical event into disrespute, and want to work to improve truly sad mistake that was completely unjustified.
Thank you. |
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| Luiza Florence |
|
(Los Angeles) |
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| Janin Fucile |
|
(Los Angeles, CA) |
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| Georgina B. Mojica |
Teacher/ Rose Parade participant |
(Norwalk, CA) |
| Doris put in countless hours in getting the costumes ready for the parade. She has an amazing talent and cared a lot about every single piece she made. It was heartbreaking that she did not get to see the reaction on people’s face as they admired her hard work and dedication. Doris was looking forward to sharing a little of her culture, and it was disappointing that she was not able to participate in the Rose Parade. |
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| Miriam Cardeman |
Engineer |
(Brazil) |
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| Hiroshi Yamaguchi |
Bateria Member |
(Hawthorne, CA) |
| Doris was the key person who made our float/Rose parade successful. We couldn't make it without her. Please show more respect for person who was not front of parade but the most important role behide it. |
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| Sparrow Valdetarro-Harrington |
|
(Pasadena, California) |
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| Clint Ellis |
A Friend of Brazilian Music and Culture |
(Gardena) |
| This is so sad to hear. There most certainly needs to be a formal apology for Doris. |
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| Donna Prara |
|
(Los Angeles) |
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| Jessica Clauden |
|
(long beach) |
| I am one of the dancers that was on the float at the Rose Parade and I also did not have a wrist band.....when security had gotten to me they had run out of them. I saw how much Doris had put her heart and soul into this project and think something should be done about it. Please feel free to contact me about anything regarding any of this matter. Jessica Claudin |
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| Ana R Sandoval |
|
(Downey, CA) |
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| Ray Bonaventura |
|
(Long Beach) |
| It very sad to hear what happen. |
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| Eva Baez |
Former dancer at Sambala |
(Boston, MA) |
| I was extremely sadden to hear Mrs Doris de Hilster was unable to enjoy the Rose Parade event specially knowing how dedicated she is when it comes to presenting her culture to the world. Her professionalism, perfectionism, love, and passion for her work is shown on every single event she assembles and not being able to participate after pouring her heart into the Rose Parade, is simply unacceptable. |
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| Gerusa Richardson |
|
(6959 Kittyhawk ave) |
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| Catherine Barnes |
Parade participant/drummer |
(San Diego, CA) |
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| Raphaela Martins |
Business Analyst |
(Long Beach) |
| When this event opportunity came up, we were all so honored and so many volunteered. But only Doris dedicated long days and nights to design, create all the costumes, and hand make the headpieces and backpieces. It was extremely disappointing to have this prestigious opportunity, have ended so inappropriately for Doris, due to the guard's inflated sense of power, unprofessionalism, and at the very least, humanity. |
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| Nia Hubbard |
|
(Los Angeles) |
| The formation officers should have at least investigated the issue before removing her. It seems as though they made no effort to inquire about who she was or the validity of her story. |
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| Jonia Dorta McClenney |
Fitness and Dance Instructor |
(Arcadia, CA) |
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| Pedro Ha |
|
(Mira Loma) |
| We support Doris! |
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| Christine Portella |
San Diego Brazil Carnival Promoter |
(San Diego) |
| The work of Doris in not only doing the costumes, but promoting the Parade was just amazing.. To have something like this happen is just not acceptable! |
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| Maija B. Hunter |
Retired |
(Malibu, CA) |
| It was a great injustice that director and costume creator for Sambala Rose Parade participants, Doris de Hilster, was forcibly removed from the Parade route |
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| Harry Oei |
|
(Seal Beach) |
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| Alicia Mendoza |
Clinical Software Training Coordinator |
(Long Beach) |
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| Kristin Graham |
|
(San Diego) |
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| Ahmad Sanati |
|
(Mission Viejo Ca) |
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| Dagmar Sabat |
|
(Lake Arrowhead) |
| Doris pours her heart and soul in everything she does. This was a dream come true for her- where her costumes would be on display for the whole world. She spent countless hours putting it together along with HER money to make this happen. SambaLa has been the window to Brazilian culture for many Americans for many years and to have "the moment" stolen as well as being treated as an intruder, when being an organizer is inexcusable. |
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| Kellee Wilson |
Dancer |
(Long Beach, CA) |
| I am disappointed in the way Doris was treated at the Rose Parade. The Rose Parade was suppose to upscale and classy, but it seems to me that the workers there is low budget and nasty. Doris is the costume designer and she had more right then me to be in the parade. Doris was left to roam around for 2 hours with no one to talk to because someone with a bad disposition wanted to be funny. She deserves an apology and the punk should get an attitude readjstment, before he/she haves bigger problems. |
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| Patricia Rudd |
|
(Grass Valley, CA) |
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| Ali Lexa |
Parade Participant, drummer |
(Los Angeles) |
| I thought the over zealous security guard put a very sad note on what should have been a real celebration. The way it was handled was unprofessional and not in the spirit of the Rose parade that we all know. |
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| Jeane July |
Dancer and Rose Bowl participant |
(Los Angeles, CA) |
| This special moment was robbed by someone who worked incredibly hard to represent her community and the Rose Bowl Parade. If the Rose Bowl committee truly takes pride in their reputation, they must do the right thing to correct the act of such an ignorant person who was in their employ. |
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| Tony Da Rosa |
Dancer |
(Cerritos CA. USA) |
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| Daniel Yakoubian |
President, Super Sonic Samba School, Inc. |
(San Diego) |
| As an event organizer for a Samba School, I unfortunately can imagine a parade bouncer "aka "formation officer" behaving in this way. It is not uncommon to have people given this responsibility act aggressively and without regard for the dignity and feelings of the performers. Here, the problem originated with an administrative issue, a shortage of wristbands, and Doris could do nothing to defend herself against the humiliation of being treated so wrongly. I hope the Rose Parade officials can both understand this situation and the pain it cause Doris, and offer her an apology and some form of recognition. |
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| Gina Amato Lough |
Dancer |
(Long Beach, CA) |
| The Tournament of Roses must compensate Doris de Hilster for this egregious act. |
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| Taura Smith |
Member, Bateria |
(Norwalk, CA) |
| I am so sorry and outraged at the treatment of our beloved Doris. That guard was way out of line and I'm sure the Tournament trustees are embarrased by this person's action. Hopefully, they consider never using this person in the future and I hope there can be some type of amends for the terrible damage that was caused. |
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| Rome Yamashita |
Parade Participant |
(Gardena) |
| How the officer treated Doris was totally unacceptable. It violated her Human Dignity. Doris is a highly dignified person by her hard work and sacrifice which made the Parade possible. She is the role model of our community and also caring kindhearted person we all look up to. Thus, her Dignity should be honored, respected, protected, and restored. |
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| Geoffrey Haigh Lawrence Hunter |
Parade Participant |
(Malibu, CA) |
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| Sonia Fernandez |
|
(Pomona, CA) |
| The actions mentioned in the letter below are unacceptable and should be corrected immediately. |
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| Leila Furumasu |
Parade Participant |
(Stanton,CA) |
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| Cassidy Tutt Sawyer |
Realtor |
(Long beach) |
| This was so wrong. |
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| Mayra Lundahl |
Dancer |
(Stockholm) |
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| Jasmine Kerr |
|
(Yorba Linda) |
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| Leslie Nyman |
|
(Oceanside, CA) |
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| Gary Bonie |
|
(Irvine, CA) |
| I know of the long hours and hard work Doris de Hilster put into making the parade such a success. The Directors and organizers of the Tournament of Roses Parade must immediately apologize for such classless and unprofessional behavior by one of their officials. |
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| Larry Humbird |
|
(Long Beach) |
| Doris deserves a written apology and just compensation from the Rose Parade Commission for the humiliation and physical indignity she suffered at the ignorant whim of one of your over-zealous "formation" control staff. Doris brought beauty and splendor to the parade and in return she received ugliness and expulsion from the parade by your representative at the very moment of her presentation of her float creations. We urge you to do the right thing. Apologize to Doris. She justly deserves a public apology from the parade Commission for the humiliating, physical mistreatment she endured from the ignorant action of one of your misguided "formation" officers. |
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| Joanne Gimbel |
|
(Carmel, CA) |
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| Elena Correa |
Former SambaLa Porta de Bandeira |
(Atlanta, GA) |
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| Roy Reyes |
Program and Music Director, Samba Vida |
(San Antonio, Texas) |
| This act by the formation officer was an very insensitve act and unexcusable. If he had excercized a little initiative and common since he could have resolved this terrible incident. This was truly an injustice to Doris which can not be reversed. At the very least she deserves an apology from this formation officer, from parade officials and it's sponsors. |
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| Doug Seki |
|
(San Gabriel, CA) |
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| Jesse Kitten |
Sambala Founding Member/Bateria |
(Long Beach) |
| This was my first time attending the parade in any capacity,and I was impressed with the organization / production. It was run with military-like precision. Unfortunately one of the formation officers clearly stepped way over the line in using physical force and verbal abuse. Additionally,this individual failed to assist a parade chaperone and provide a problem-solving solution,which is one of their primary responsibilities. I am confident the Tournament of Roses Board of Directors, Trustees,and parade officials will do everything in their power to not only apologize to Doris and David, but also assist/participate/sponsor Sambala's upcoming 2010 Long Beach Brazilian Carnaval. |
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| Robert de Hilster |
Research Scientist |
(Long Beach CA) |
| Doris was shoved by the guard. This is unacceptable. Doris left the parade and was on her own. She did not know how to get back to her car, so she called me to pick her up. I drove to Pasadena and found her at Fair Oaks and Del Mar and then brought her to her house in Long Beach. She was very upset for the way she was treated. |
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| Lawrie Margrave |
Photographer |
(Palos Verdes, CA) |
| It is very sad the way this situation was handled. I would certainly hope that the parade committee would send a formal apology to Doris. |
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| Patricia deHilster |
|
(Long Beach, Ca.) |
| What happened to Doris was totally wrong. No one would listen to her explanation. She even asked them to check the sign in list and they refused. She deserves an apology from the Rose Parade committee and also the person who treated her so rudely should be fired or at least not be allowed to work at the parade again. |
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| Mary Ward |
|
(Oregon) |
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| Gary Jenkins |
Afficionado |
(Long Beach, CA) |
| When an artistic designer is deprived of her place and function in the parade, we are all deprived! |
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| Karan deHilster Goudy |
|
(Arkansas) |
| Unbelievable that this could happen to Doris who gave so much of herself, only to have her glory taken away! The news coverage comments that I heard about the Jack in the Box float was that it was clearly the favorite amoung the crowd and from what I saw was evident in the audiences response! What a shame Doris was not permitted to witness the results of all her hard work! Not only should there be an apology, but the formation officer should be disciplined, and/or perhaps removed from future parades! |
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| Cassand Cynthia |
|
(France) |
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| Jorge Vismara |
Photographer |
(Encino, CA) |
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| Christine Fox |
|
(Santa Ana, CA) |
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| Michael Ruggieri |
Musician / Composer |
(Long Beach) |
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| Kana Watanabe |
|
(Los Angeles) |
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| Renard Devin-Kayne |
|
(Huntington Beach, California.) |
| An injustice that reflects on the organizers of the Rose Parade. I have known for over 15 years the dedication of Doris de Hilster to her work and this time was no exception. It is incumbent upon the organizers of the Rose Parade to find, reprimand the Formation person and write and publish a letter of apology to Doris and to Sambala. I would strongly suggest to follow up with a civil lawsuit seeking punitive damages and compensation for this unwarranted act. |
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| Josy Johnson |
Owner of Josy's Events |
(Fountain Valley) |
| I personally know Doris de Hilster and the SambaLa. Doris is well known and respected in the local and international Brazilian community for her talent and expertise in costume design. I am shocked and outraged at the injustice that such an horrible mistake, so unnecessary was allowed to happen. The very least an official apology is expected and should be made forthwith by Tournament of Roses officials. Also, the responsible offending officer should be investigated and disciplined for his verbal and physical assault upon Ms. de Hilster. Knowing how much work Doris put into the parade, it saddens me to learn that this happened. My heart grieves for the missed opportunity, and experience the Rose Parade should have been for her, as small payment for all the hours, days, weeks and months of hard work and money she volunteered. Such a bitter and heartbreaking outcome. I await an apology to Doris de Hilster, the SambaLa group and the entire Brazilian community. |
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| Maritza Reategui |
|
(Buena Park, CA) |
| The office's behavior was completely unacceptable and unprofessional. Doris should at least get an apology for how she was mistreated. |
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| Karina Reategui |
|
(Buena Park) |
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| Vanessa Broaten |
|
(Corona, CA) |
| I have been to many SambaLa events in Long Beach over the years. The work Doris does is amazing and and has brought a lot of joy to many, many, many people in Southern California. I am shocked! There must be an apology. |
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| Serena Refoua |
|
(South Pasadena, CA) |
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| Gertrude Erin Grayson |
Meastre |
(Long Beach) |
| I am completely shocked and disappointed. How could this have happened? An apology can go a long way. |
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| Liliana Gonzalez |
|
(Long Beach, CA) |
| My heart goes out to Doris for being humiliated, after the "heart" work she put into such a grand event to represent her culture. I can understand her frustation and rage from being treated so unjustly. If this was specifically a police officer... there are too many out there who think they are the only authority and allow their badge to get to their head. They bark like dogs without any training. May this problem be solved with the Rose Parade acknowledging the situation and offering a genuine apology. I know it's hard, but Doris, know that other people's ignorance can never take away from the beautiful light that you shine with your mastery and creativity. I'll definately pass this letter on! |
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| Kirt Higdon |
|
(1054 Brock Dr. Corpus Christi, TX 78412) |
| This is really intolerable behavior on the part of the Tournament of Roses. I was in Pasadena for the parade and I personally witnessed how much effort Doris put in on preparing the costumes. Doris deserves a complete apology and the person responsible for mistreating her should be reprimanded. |
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| Peter A Posadas |
|
(Miami) |
| I was long time ago part of SambaLa School and I am witness. Doris put og her effort to make the best she know give everyone know the beautiful of Brazilian Culture. The people from the Tournament of Roses Parade should do something about it. To all my 100% SUPPORT hoping this issue will be result in best way to all. |
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| Heather Anne Rochford |
|
(Long Beach) |
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| David de Hilster |
SambaLa President |
(Long Beach, California) |
| The treatment of Doris is inexcusable and also extremely sad. The Tournament of Roses forcibly removed a person who had permission to be in the parade and who costumes made for one of the more spectacular floats in the 2010 parade. Shame on their conduct! |
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